Headrest-mounted entertainment systems

ABSTRACT

In certain embodiments, a mobile entertainment system includes a screen assembly with a display and a signal generating device. A housing pivotally coupled to the screen assembly can have a lower portion, an upper portion, and a housing cavity sized and shaped to receive the screen assembly. The upper portion can receive at least a portion of the signal generating device. At least a portion of the screen assembly can rotate through an opening in the lower portion. A shell can receive the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication, are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/830,223, filed Jul. 2, 2010, titled HEADREST-MOUNTED ENTERTAINMENTSYSTEMS, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.12/103,638, filed Apr. 15, 2008, titled HEADREST-MOUNTED ENTERTAINMENTSYSTEMS, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,762,627, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. application Ser. No. 11/475,735, filed Jun. 26, 2006, titledHEADREST MOUNTED ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,508,which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/732,788, filed Nov. 2, 2005, titled HEADRESTENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM; U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/740,540, filedNov. 29, 2005, titled HEADREST ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM; and U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/811,879, filed Jun. 7, 2006, titledHEADREST MOUNTED ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM. U.S. application Ser. No.12/103,638 also claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/912,156, filed Apr. 16, 2007, titledHEADREST-MOUNTED ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS. The entire contents of theabove-identified applications are hereby incorporated by reference andmade a part of this specification.

U.S. application Ser. No. 12/830,223, filed Jul. 2, 2010, is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/103,618, filed Apr.15, 2008, titled HEADREST-MOUNTED ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS, now U.S. Pat.No. 7,758,117 which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.No. 11/475,735, filed Jun. 26, 2006, titled HEADREST MOUNTEDENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,508, which claims thebenefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/732,788, filed Nov. 2, 2005, titled HEADREST ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM;U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/740,540, filed Nov. 29, 2005, titledHEADREST ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM; and U.S. Provisional Application No.60/811,879, filed Jun. 7, 2006, titled HEADREST MOUNTED ENTERTAINMENTSYSTEM. U.S. application Ser. No. 12/103,618 also claims the benefitunder 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/912,157,filed Apr. 16, 2007, titled HEADREST-MOUNTED ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS. Theentire contents of each of the above-identified applications are herebyincorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS

1. Field of the Inventions

This application relates to entertainment systems that can be mounted ina vehicle, such as an automobile, and more particularly relates toheadrest-mounted entertainment systems for vehicles.

2. Description of the Related Art

Video display units have been used in vehicles, such as, for example,airplanes and cars, to provide passengers with diversion andentertainment on journeys of diverse durations. However, known units andvarious components thereof have various limitations and disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS

In certain embodiments, a mobile entertainment system comprises ahousing configured to be coupled with a mounting plate of a headrest.The housing can define a first hinge portion. In some embodiments, thesystem further comprises a screen assembly. The screen assembly candefine a second hinge portion that cooperates with the first hingeportion to pivotally couple the screen assembly with the housing suchthat the screen assembly can rotate relative to the housing. In someembodiments, the system further comprises a retaining harness fixedlyattached to the mounting plate of the headrest at a first end andfixedly attached to the screen assembly at a second end. The retainingharness can be configured to limit rotation of the screen assemblyrelative to the housing. Optionally, in some embodiments, the systemcomprises a headrest configured to be installed in a vehicle. Theheadrest can comprise the mounting plate.

In certain embodiments, a mobile entertainment system comprises ahousing coupled with a mounting plate of a headrest. The housing candefine a first hinge portion. In some embodiments, the system furtherincludes a screen assembly comprising a metallic frame. In variousembodiments, a surface area of the frame is relatively large as comparedwith that of the other components of the screen assembly. For example,in some embodiments, the screen assembly includes a media reader and theframe covers a substantial portion of the media reader. In variousembodiments, an external or outer surface area of the frame is no lessthan about ⅛, ⅙, ⅕, ⅓, ½, ⅔, or ¾ the size of an outer surface area ofthe media reader. In some embodiments, the screen assembly includes aviewing screen. In various embodiments, a maximum cross-sectional areaof the frame is no less than about 0.25, 0.33, 0.50, 0.66, 0.75, 1.25,or 1.33 times the size of a viewable surface area of the viewing screen.

In some embodiments, the screen assembly defines a second hinge portionthat cooperates with the first hinge portion of the housing to pivotallycouple the screen assembly with the housing such that the screenassembly can rotate through a range of angles relative to the housing.The screen assembly can be configured to rotate independent of movementof the headrest. In some embodiments, the system further comprises aretaining harness coupled with both the mounting plate of the headrestand the metallic frame of the screen assembly. The harness can beconfigured to limit the range of angles through which the screenassembly can rotate. The harness further can be configured to preventmovement of the screen assembly beyond a predetermined distance from themounting plate. Optionally, in some embodiments, the system comprises aheadrest configured to be installed in a vehicle. The headrest cancomprise a mounting plate.

In certain embodiments, a method of restraining movement of anentertainment system comprises providing a headrest having a mountingplate. The method can further comprise coupling a housing with themounting plate of the headrest. The method can further comprise couplinga screen assembly with the housing such that the screen assembly canrotate relative to the housing. The method can further compriseconnecting a retaining harness at a first end with the mounting plateand at a second end with the screen assembly.

In certain embodiments, an entertainment system includes a screenassembly having a display and a signal generating device. Theentertainment system can also include a housing having a lower portion,an upper portion, and a housing cavity defined by the lower and upperportions, the housing cavity being sized and shaped to receivesubstantially the screen assembly. The upper portion can be sized andshaped to receive at least a portion of the signal generating device. Insome embodiments, the screen assembly can be pivotally coupled to thehousing such that the screen assembly can rotate relative to thehousing, the lower portion having an opening that is sized and shaped toallow at least a portion of the screen assembly to rotate through theopening. In some embodiments, the entertainment system can also includea shell substantially fixed to a headrest in a vehicle, the shell havinga lower portion, an upper portion, and a shell cavity defined by theupper and lower portions of the shell, the shell cavity being sized andshaped to receive substantially the housing. The upper portion of theshell can be sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the upperportion of the housing. The lower portion of the shell can be sized andshaped to receive substantially the lower portion of the housing, theshell being coupled with the housing and substantially fixed to thehousing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the inventions willbe better understood with reference to embodiments illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. The illustrated embodiments are not intended todefine the limits or scope of the inventions.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a headrestentertainment assembly that includes an entertainment system mounted ina headrest of a vehicle. Access to at least one component of theentertainment system can be limited by a cover, which is shown in aclosed position.

FIG. 1A is similar to FIG. 1 showing another embodiment of a headrestentertainment assembly.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the headrest entertainment assemblyof FIG. 1 showing the cover in an open position and showing a monitor ofthe entertainment system in a tilted position.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the headrest entertainment system of FIG. 1with the cover in an open position and the monitor in a tilted position.

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the headrest entertainment system of FIG.1.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective exploded view of the headrestentertainment assembly of FIG. 1 with the entertainment system removedfrom the headrest.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective exploded view of the entertainment systemof FIG. 1 with a monitor assembly removed therefrom.

FIG. 7 is a rear plan view of one embodiment of an entertainment system.

FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of a portion of the entertainment system ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective exploded view of the entertainment systemof FIG. 7 with a portion of a cooling system shown removed therefrom.

FIG. 8A is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 8 showing the removedportion of a cooling system in greater detail.

FIG. 9 is a side perspective exploded view of the entertainment systemof FIG. 7 showing a signal source removed therefrom.

FIG. 10 is a perspective partially exploded view of the entertainmentsystem of FIG. 7 showing portion of a monitor assembly in a tiltedposition.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a portion of amounting system.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective exploded view of one embodiment of aheadrest entertainment system with one embodiment of a componentmounting frame shown removed therefrom.

FIG. 13 is a perspective exploded view of one embodiment of a headrestwith a portion of one embodiment of a mounting system shown removedtherefrom.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a portion of amounting system.

FIG. 15 is a plan view of one embodiment of a cooling fan.

FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of a mobile videosystem having an adapter coupled with a first and second entertainmentsystem.

FIG. 16A is a front plan view of one embodiment of an adapter forcoupling with a first and second entertainment system.

FIG. 16B is a partial top plan view of the adapter of FIG. 16A showingcoupler interfaces of two connectors.

FIG. 17 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of anentertainment system.

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of one embodiment of an entertainment systemconnector and one embodiment of an adapter connector.

FIG. 19 is a front plan view of one embodiment of an entertainmentsystem connector coupled with an adapter connector.

FIG. 20 is a schematic illustration of one embodiment of an adaptercoupled with a power source.

FIG. 20A is a partial perspective view of one embodiment of a noisesuppressor coupled with electrical lines of an adapter.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a retentiondevice in a closed configuration and enclosing two coupled connectors.

FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a retentiondevice in an open configuration.

FIG. 23A is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a retentiondevice in a closed configuration.

FIG. 23B is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a retentiondevice in a closed configuration.

FIG. 24 is a top plan view of one embodiment of a retention devicealongside two coupled connectors.

FIG. 25 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of an entertainmentsystem.

FIG. 26 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a mountingassembly compatible with the entertainment system of FIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a shellcompatible with the entertainment system of FIG. 25.

FIG. 28 is a rear perspective view of the shell of FIG. 27.

FIG. 29 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a housingcompatible with the entertainment system of FIG. 25.

FIG. 30 is a rear perspective view of the housing of FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a rear perspective partially exploded view of an embodimentof a screen assembly compatible with the entertainment system of FIG.25.

FIG. 32 is a front perspective partially exploded view of the screenassembly of FIG. 31 and of an embodiment of a retaining harnesscompatible with the entertainment system of FIG. 25.

FIG. 33 is a front perspective partially exploded view of the screenassembly of FIG. 31 with an outer casing removed therefrom showing,inter alia, an embodiment of a frame.

FIG. 34 is a rear perspective partially exploded view of the frame ofFIG. 33 and an embodiment of hinges.

FIG. 35 is a side cross-sectional view of the entertainment system ofFIG. 25 shown in a stowed configuration.

FIG. 35A is an enlarged partial side cross-sectional view of theentertainment system of FIG. 25 taken along the view line 35A-35A inFIG. 35 illustrating an embodiment of a lock portion and an embodimentof an arm.

FIG. 35B is a partial side cross-sectional view such as that of FIG. 35Aillustrating the arm in a displaced state.

FIG. 35C is a partial side cross-sectional view such as that of FIG. 35Aillustrating the arm being returned to the position depicted in FIG.35A.

FIG. 35D is a partial side cross-sectional view such as that of FIG. 35Aillustrating another embodiment of a lock portion and another embodimentof an arm.

FIG. 36 is a side cross-sectional view of the entertainment system ofFIG. 25 shown in a deployed configuration.

FIG. 37 is a side cross-sectional view such as that of FIG. 36 takenthrough a different plane.

FIG. 38 is a schematic illustration of a side plan view of an embodimentof an entertainment system in a deployed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a headrest entertainment assembly 10. Theassembly 10 has a number of advantageous features. As discussed furtherbelow, the headrest entertainment assembly 10 and some variationsthereof include a component cover that provides protection in connectionwith a signal source. Another feature of the assembly 10 and of somevariations is a cooling system that keeps the components thereof fromoverheating. Further advantages of the assembly 10 and of somevariations thereof reside in various inventive techniques formanufacturing the assembly 10, which techniques provide advantagesassociated with inventory control. Also, some embodiments of theassembly 10 and techniques for producing the assembly result in enhancedsafety features for passengers in a vehicle in which the assembly 10 ismounted.

The headrest entertainment assembly 10 includes a vehicle headrest 14and an entertainment system 18. Preferably the headrest entertainmentassembly 10 is mounted in a vehicle, such as a car. As used herein “car”is a broad term and is used in its ordinary sense and refers, withoutlimitation, to any personal land transportation vehicle, e.g., apassenger automobile, a truck, a van, a minivan, a sport-utilityvehicle, and similar such vehicles. Certain features, aspects andadvantages of the embodiments described herein can be used with othervehicles.

The headrest entertainment assembly 10 can be constructed by variouspreferred methods, which are discussed below. Broadly, in one method,the headrest 14 is formed about other portions of the headrestentertainment assembly 10 so as to provide an integral unit. In othermethods, interchangeability of components is enhanced by making theheadrest 14 separable from other components of the headrestentertainment assembly 10.

Features of the vehicle headrest 14 are discussed below in connectionwith various embodiments. In one variation discussed below, the headrest14 forms a portion of a seat of a vehicle and can be separately movableor adjustable relative to other portions of the seat. Although theheadrest environment is preferred, in other embodiments entertainmentsystems comprising a sub-combination of the components of the assembly10 can be deployed in an upper region of a seat, e.g., a seat back. Theheadrest 14 can take other suitable forms.

The headrest entertainment assembly 10 also includes a mounting system22. In one variation, the mounting system 22 includes at least one seatpost 26 that extends between the headrest 14 and a seat back (not shown)to which the headrest 14 can be coupled. In the illustrated embodiment,the mounting system 22 includes two seat posts 26. The seat posts 26 canbe solid or hollow and can be configured to convey signals from or tothe headrest entertainment assembly 10. Preferably, where two or moreseat posts 26 are provided at least one of the seat posts is hollow,having a passage extending therethrough in which at least a portion of acable conveying the signal can be located. As discussed further below,in some embodiments the size of the passage can be enlarged by reducingthe thickness of a wall of the seat posts 26. As discussed furtherbelow, in some embodiments, the headrest entertainment assembly 10includes a signal source mounted in the headrest 14. In otherembodiments, a signal source is not mounted in the headrest 14, but islocated elsewhere within the vehicle. In other embodiments, the headrestentertainment assembly 10 includes multiple signal sources, one or moreof which can be mounted in the headrest and one or more of which can belocated elsewhere in the vehicle. In other embodiments, multipleentertainment systems can be provided in multiple headrests. In otherembodiments, multiple entertainment systems and multiple signal sourcescan be provided such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,871,356, whichis hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein.

The seat post 26 arrangement facilitates adjustability of the headrestentertainment assembly 10. This adjustability can be combined withadditional modes of adjustability, such as tilting of a monitor or otherportion of the headrest entertainment assembly 10, as discussed furtherbelow.

As discussed further below, the construction of the mounting system 22,e.g., of the posts 26, may be such that cables that interconnect aplurality of entertainment systems can be quickly and efficiently routedtherethrough. As discussed further below, one way to facilitate quickrouting of a signal cable through the post 26 is by increasing the innercross-sectional size (e.g., diameter) of a hollow passage extendingthrough the post 26. As discussed further below, the innercross-sectional size of a passage extending through the posts 26 can beincreased by increasing the size (e.g., the inner and outer diameter) ofthe posts 26. In some applications, the outer size of the posts 26 cannot be increased because the size of a corresponding post hole in theseat back in which the post 26 is inserted is selected by car or seatmanufacture and cannot easily be increased. In some situations, such aswhen the outer size of the posts 26 cannot easily be increased, themounting system 22 can be configured to permit the wall thickness of theposts 26 to be decreased. By providing a fixed outer size and byreducing the thickness of the wall of the post 26, the inner size of thepassage in the post can be increased, making routing of signal cableseasier. In some arrangements discussed further below, the mountingsystem 22 is configured to permit the wall thickness of the posts 26 tobe decreased by providing a reinforced member that extends between twoposts 26. The mounting system 22 is discussed in more detail inconnection with FIG. 11.

In one embodiment, the headrest 14 includes a forward-facing side 28that includes a pad or a pillow 30 to cushion the head of an occupant inthe seat with which the headrest is coupled. The pillow 30 may extend toany of a top, bottom, side-facing side 33, and rear-facing side 32 ofthe headrest 14, as shown in FIG. 13. Preferably, the pillow 30 isformed by blow-molding a foam material into a mold having a shape anddesign appropriate for the car in which the headrest 14 is to be used.For example, the headrest 14 can have the same outer shape and design asthe factory headrest. The pad 30 can then be wrapped in a suitablematerial, such as a fabric, e.g., solid or perforated leather, or othersuitable material. As discussed further below, in one technique, the pad30 is blow molded directly onto a portion of the mounting system 22 suchthat the pad 30 and the mounting system 22 are integrally connected. Inanother technique, a pad 30 is blow molded as a separate component andis configured to receive at least a portion of the mounting system 22during assembly such that the pad 30 and the mounting assembly 22 couldbe disassembled after shipment from the factory.

As discussed above, the pillow 30 provides cushioning for a personseated in the seat with which the headrest 14 is coupled, e.g., tominimize injury in the event of an accident. The headrest 14 preferablyalso includes a rear-facing side 32. Preferably an entertainment systemmounting cavity 34 is formed in the headrest 14. In some embodiments,the entertainment system mounting cavity 34 is accessible from therear-facing side 32.

Access can be provided to the entertainment system mounting cavity 34through a mounting cavity aperture 36. Preferably the mounting cavityaperture 36 is shaped to receive the entertainment system 18. In oneembodiment, the aperture 36 is at least partially surrounded by aplurality of edges on the rear-facing side 32 of the headrest 14. Theaperture 36 can also be partly surrounded by at least one edge on a topsurface 37 of the headrest 14. In some arrangements, the headrest 14includes an intermediate surface that extends between the top surface 37and the rear-facing surface 32. The intermediate surface can be curvedor flat, e.g., radiused or beveled. Accordingly, the mounting cavityaperture 36 can be at least partly surrounded by one or more edges thatextend between the top surface 37 and the rear-facing surface 32 of theheadrest 14. In other embodiments, the mounting cavity aperture 36 canbe at least partially surrounded by one or more edges located on abottom surface of the headrest 14.

As discussed below, in some embodiments, the entertainment system 18 isconfigured to be able to move when positioned in the mounting cavityaperture 36. For example, in some embodiments, the entertainment systemcan pivot at least partially into and out of the entertainment systemmounting cavity 34 through the mounting cavity aperture 36.

In some embodiments, the headrest entertainment assembly 10 includes acooling system to maintain the operating temperature of the componentsof the headrest entertainment assembly 10 in an acceptable range.Further details of the cooling system are discussed below. In oneembodiment, the headrest 14 includes an opening or aperture 38 adjacentwhich at least a portion of the cooling system can be mounted. Theaperture 38 is one configuration of a venting structure that can beincorporated to enhance cooling of the headrest entertainment assembly10. In some embodiments, at least one of a plurality of apertures 38 andother venting structures adjacent an external surface of the assembly 10can be provided to enhance cooling. For example, as discussed below, afirst aperture 38 can be provided on one surface and a second aperture38 can be provided on a second surface that is opposite the firstsurface. This arrangement advantageously increases cross-flow from thefirst aperture to the second aperture. Cooling of the components of theheadrest entertainment assembly 10 can be further enhanced by additionalventing structures and by devices, e.g., one or more fans 40, whichincrease flow across the components thereof. Features of variousembodiments of cooling systems will be discussed in greater detailbelow.

FIG. 13 shows that in some embodiments, a plurality of openings 38 areprovided for enhanced cooling of the entertainment system 18. Also,although the openings 38 are located on side surfaces of the headrest14, these components can be located on other surfaces, such as on one ormore of a top surface, a front surface, a rear surface, and a bottomsurface. The side surfaces are advantageous locations for the openings38 because they are exposed in all positions of the headrest 14 and arespaced from the entertainment system 18 and the surface facing the headof the person in the seat. In some arrangements, the top surface of theheadrest 14 may be large enough to accommodate openings 38. Whereverpositioned, the openings 38 can be any desired shape, e.g., round,elongated. The openings 38 also can be relatively small or relativelylarge compared to the surface area of the side of the headrest 14 uponwhich they are located. For example, if a plurality of openings 38 areprovided, the openings can be small compared to (in some cases,substantially smaller than) the surface area of the side of the headrest14 upon which they are located. For example, the openings 38 can be lessthan about one-half the surface area of the side of the headrest 14 uponwhich they are located. In other embodiments, the opening(s) 38 can berelatively large, e.g., about one-half or more than, the surface area ofthe side of the headrest 14 upon which the openings are located. Also,although paired openings 38 are shown as having a similar configuration,e.g., size and shape, multiple openings 38 could be differentlyconfigured, e.g., one larger than and one smaller than one-half thesurface area of the side upon which they are located.

FIG. 1 shows that an aperture cover 42 extends across the aperture 38 inone embodiment. The aperture cover 42 includes a plurality of discreteopenings or venting holes 43 configured to permit air to pass into andout of the entertainment system mounting cavity 34. Such airflow can beused to cool the entertainment system 18 or other components of theheadrest entertainment assembly in thermal communication with the system18.

FIG. 1A shows that in some embodiments, visible openings in the aperturecover 42 are not required. This arrangement can be used when otherdevices are provided to cool the entertainment system 18 such thatairflow through the aperture cover 42 is not required. In somearrangements, the aperture cover 42 comprises a porous material membranethat appears solid, but permits airflow therethrough without visibleopenings. In other arrangements, the aperture cover 42 substantiallyblocks the aperture 38 where enhanced cooling is not needed, e.g., inentertainment systems that have components that emit low amounts ofheat, tolerate greater heat levels, or are disposed in structures notsensitive to heat. In other arrangements, the aperture 38 is notprovided. In certain of such arrangements, the material 39 that formsthe side surface of the headrest 14 is itself perforated or porous,including structures similar to the venting holes 43 which may or maynot be visible.

FIG. 13 shows that the headrest 14 can also include a seat mountingaperture 46 that can be located on a lower or bottom side of theheadrest 14. The seat mounting aperture 46 permits at least onecomponent of the mounting system 22 to extend through the bottom side ofthe headrest 14 to an interior portion thereof. In one embodiment, theentertainment system mounting cavity 34 extends from the rear surface 32of the headrest 14 to a location vertically above the seat mountingaperture 46. This arrangement permits convenient assembly of theheadrest 14 and the entertainment system 18 as discussed below. In somearrangements, a common cavity can be provided in which components of themounting system 22 and of the entertainment system 18 can be positioned.

FIGS. 2-10 illustrate additional details of various embodiments of theheadrest entertainment assembly 10.

In certain embodiments, the entertainment system 18 includes a signalsource 78 and a monitor 200. In other embodiments, the entertainmentsystem 18 also includes a component cover 82. In some embodiments, theentertainment system 18 further includes a monitor assembly 74, whichincludes the monitor 200 and facilitates mounting of the monitor. Asdiscussed below, the monitor assembly 74 provides one or moreadvantageous features, such as housing the monitor 200, protecting themonitor from damage, locating associated components nearby, and enablingmoving or pivoting of the monitor relative to the headrest 14, asdiscussed further below.

In some embodiments, the entertainment system 18 also includes acomponent mounting frame 70 to which at least one of the monitor 200 andthe signal source 78 are secured. In some arrangements, the mountingframe 70, together with at least one component, provides a unitaryconstruction. In one embodiment, the mounting frame 70 provides a rigidstructure for mounting at least one component. In some arrangements, themounting frame 70 is configured to be coupled with the monitor assembly74 and the signal source 78. As discussed further below, the mountingframe 70 also can be configured to be coupled with the cover 82 in someembodiments.

In one embodiment, the monitor assembly 74, the signal source 78, andthe cover 82 are all coupled with the mounting frame 70 prior toinsertion into the entertainment system mounting cavity 34.Preassembling the monitor assembly 74, the signal source 78, and thecover 82 to the mounting frame 70 together is convenient forinstallation because an installer does not have to separately assemblethese components, which can be easily damaged during the installationprocess if not handled carefully. Further details of techniques forassembling the headrest entertainment assembly 10 are discussed below.

FIG. 6 shows further details of one embodiment of the component mountingframe 70. The component mounting frame 70 can include a monitor couplingportion 90 to which the monitor assembly 74 can be connected.Preferably, the monitor coupling portion 90 includes one or more hingemounts 94. Additional structures that can be combined with orincorporated into various embodiments of the assembly 10, includingstructures for mounting the monitor assembly 74 to the mounting frame70, are discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,546, which is hereby expresslyincorporated by reference herein. As discussed further below, themonitor coupling portion 90 preferably permits at least a portion of themonitor assembly 74 to move into and out of the entertainment systemmounting cavity 34. In one embodiment, the monitor coupling portion 90enables the monitor assembly 74 to pivot into and out of theentertainment system mounting cavity 34. One arrangement provides afirst elongated bracket 98 that includes a hinge mount 94. The hingemount 94 can include an aperture through which a fastener can beinserted. A second elongated bracket 102 can be coupled with the monitorassembly 74 and can be configured to pivot relative to the monitorassembly 74. Preferably the elongate bracket 102 also includes a hingemount having a similar configuration to the hinge mount 94.

In one arrangement the monitor assembly 74 is coupled with the frame 70by a hinge, which may comprise the bracket portions 98, 102.

Coupling of the hinge mounts of the first and second elongate bracketportions 98, 102 can be facilitated by a suitable fastener, for example,a screw or bolt. In other arrangements, a detent arrangement can berelied upon, at least in part, to couple the first and second elongateportions 98, 102. In some embodiments, means for securing the couplingof the first and second elongate portions, or of two portions of thecoupling portion 90 can be provided. In one embodiment, the meansincludes a bonding grease that provides a tighter fit between the firstand second elongate portions 98, 102. Where provided, the bonding greasecan take any suitable form. Preferably the bonding grease enablesmovement of the first and second elongate portions 98, 102 relative toeach other upon application of a threshold force but prevents suchmovement upon forces less than the threshold force. Preferably, thesecuring means, e.g., the bonding grease, prevents the bracket portions98, 102 from becoming separated from each other due to normal vibrationthat are induced in the monitor assembly 74 from the vehicle. In otherembodiments, the securing means comprises a suitable adhesive whichsubstantially prevents movement due to vibration or any other force.

When the first and second elongated brackets 98, 102 are coupled at thehinge mounts 94, the monitor assembly 74 is able to pivot relative tothe component mounting frame 70. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in oneembodiment the component mounting frame 70 includes a plurality (e.g.,two) monitor coupling portions 90. FIGS. 5 and 6 also show that in someembodiments a plurality of (e.g., two) hinges can be provided, such asby providing a second elongated bracket 102 on each side of the monitorassembly 74. The illustrated arrangement permits the monitor assembly 74to pivot about an axis A₁ extending through the second elongatedbrackets 102. In particular, the monitor assembly 74 pivots about theaxis A₁ at an end of the second elongated bracket 102 opposite an endthat is coupled with the first elongate mounting bracket 98 in oneembodiment.

As discussed further below, the pivoting of the monitor assembly 74about the axis A₁ serves multiple functions. For example, pivotingenables the monitor 200 to be positioned in an orientation that is mostcomfortable for the user to view the video signal visible thereon.Pivoting also can enable convenient assembly, by providing aninstallation position in which the monitor assembly 74 is spaced fromthe frame 70 sufficiently to expose mounting structures, as discussedbelow.

The component mounting frame 70 preferably also includes a componentcover mount portion 110. The component cover mount portion 110 cancomprise a bracket. In one embodiment, the component cover mount portion110 is located behind (e.g., at a location further recessed from thesurface 32 in the mounting cavity aperture 36 when the assembly 10 isassembled) the monitor coupling portion 90. Preferably, the componentcover mount portion 110 is located behind a front side of the componentmounting frame 70. In one embodiment, the component cover mount portion110 extends to a location vertically above a component mounting area114. The component mounting area 114 provides a space or volume intowhich the signal source 78 can be positioned or mounted as discussedbelow. The component mounting area 114 can be partially or completelyenclosed. In some embodiments, the component mounting area 114 issubstantially exposed on a plurality of (e.g., on four) sides.

FIG. 2 shows that in one embodiment, the component cover mount portion110 can include a movable mount 122 to which the cover 82 can becoupled. In one form, the movable mount 122 is a hinge. Preferably, thecomponent cover mount portion 110 also includes a component accessaperture 130. The access aperture 130 provides access from a locationoutside the headrest entertainment assembly 10 to the component orsignal source 78 located in the component mounting area 114. Asdiscussed further below, the signal source 78 is a DVD player in someembodiments. Accordingly, the component access aperture 130 can beconfigured as a slot through which a digital video disc (“DVD”) can beinserted. In one arrangement, the length of the slot is approximatelyequal to the width of the monitor 200. In other embodiments, the signalsource 78 can be any device that reads a form of media and produces asignal at least partially displayable on the monitor 200. For example,the signal source 78 could also be a photo card reader, a MP3 player, orother similar device.

The component mounting frame 70 also preferably includes one or morecooling system mounts 142. One embodiment of the mounts 142 is shown indetail in FIG. 9. In one arrangement, the mount 142 comprises a pair ofposts, each of which includes an elongated slot into which a componentof the cooling system 86 can slide. The slots of the cooling systemmounts 142 enable quick assembly of the cooling system 86 and thecomponent mounting frame 70. As shown in FIG. 8, the mounts 142 also caninclude holes formed at an end thereof spaced from the portion of theframe 70 adjacent the monitor assembly 74. Preferably the holes in themounts 142 are threaded to engage screws. In one assembly technique, asshown in FIGS. 7A and 8A, a cooling fan 40 is positioned between thecooling system mounts 142. The cooling fan 40 is secured in place withfasteners 49 that are advanced through threaded holes in the mounts 142.In some embodiments, each fastener 49 comprises a flange of sufficientwidth to contact the cooling fan 40. The flange applies a force to anupper surface of the cooling fan 40 which prevents the fan from slidingout of the mounts. In other embodiments, the fasteners are coupled withwashers. In still other embodiments, the fasteners are coupled with astiff, elongate piece that extends between the mounts 142 and contacts atop surface of the fan 40. Each fastener may be secured to a hole in anysuitable fashion, e.g., with threads, or a combination of threads and anadhesives whereby loosening of the fastener is minimized or prevented.

The component mounting frame 70 also preferably includes at least oneoff-set mount post 146. In one embodiment, a plurality of (e.g., four)off-set mount post 146 is provided. In other embodiments, less than four(e.g., one, two, or three) off-set mount posts are provided adjacent anouter portion of the component mount area 114. The off-set mount posts146 are configured to couple with the mounting system 22, as discussedfurther below. The off-set mount posts 146 can be configured aselongated structures enabling the component mounting frame 70 to beconnected to or otherwise coupled with the mounting system 22.Preferably, the off-set mount posts 146 are at least as long as, andpreferably longer than the height or thickness of the signal source 78.This arrangement provides sufficient clearance between the signal source78 and the mounting system 22.

The off-set mount posts 146 can be configured as conical structures. Inone arrangement, the off-set mount posts 146 are elongated conicalstructures that have an aperture 147 formed at an end thereof spacedfrom the portion of the components mount frame 70 adjacent to themonitor assembly 74. The aperture 147 in the off-set mount posts 146preferably is configured for a connecting member (e.g., a screw) to beadvanced therethrough to couple with the mounting system 22, asdiscussed below. In another arrangement, the off-set mount posts 146 areelongated conical structures, with the aperture 147 formed at an endthereof spaced from the component mount frame 70. In anotherarrangement, the off-set mount posts 146 are hollow with an aperture 148adjacent the portion of the components mount frame 70 adjacent to themonitor assembly 74. As discussed further below, connecting members canbe advanced through at least one of the apertures 147, 148 and receivedby the mounting system 22 to securely fasten the component mountingframe 70 to the mounting system 22.

In one embodiment, the component mounting frame 70 also includes atleast one signal source mounting portion 170. In one embodiment,multiple signal source mounting portions 170 are provided. In onearrangement, four signal source mounting portions 170 are provided. Inanother arrangement, five signal source mounting portions 170 areprovided. Signal source mounting portions 170 can be located adjacent anouter portion of the component mount area 114. The one or more signalsource mounting portions 170 are pegs that limit the movement of thesignal source but do not coupled with the signal source 78.

In other embodiments, the signal source mounting portions 170 include abracket through which a fastening member (e.g., a screw or a bolt) canbe inserted and to couple the signal source 78 with the componentmounting frame 70. In particular, a bracket can extend at leastpartially around the rear side of the component 78 (e.g., the sidefarthest from the portion of the component mounting frame adjacent tothe monitor assembly 74) and be coupled thereto by at least one fastener(e.g., a screw). Preferably, in this arrangement, the bracket alsoincludes a plurality of flanges that extend out to the signal sourcemounting post 170. In some arrangements, connecting members can beadvanced through these brackets and into threaded holes formed onexposed surfaces of the signal source mounting portions 170.

The component mounting frame 70 is configured to facilitate otheraspects and features of the entertainment system 18. For example, thecomponent mounting frame 70 can include a generally planar structurehaving one or more slots 172 formed therein. The slots 172 can beelongated and positioned close together. Also, a large number of slots172 can be provided so as to reduce the weight of the component mountingframe 70. In some arrangements, discussed below, the slots 172 functionas vents directing heat generated by one or more components away fromthe entertainment system 18. This feature is discussed more below inconnection with an overall discussion of heat dissipation in theheadrest entertainment assembly 10.

In one embodiment, a monitor assembly cavity 182 is formed on a forwardside of the component mounting frame 70. The cavity 182 permits themonitor assembly 74 to be moved to a fully-closed position, which is aretracted position (shown in FIG. 5). In a retracted position, themonitor assembly 74 may be positioned within the headrest 14, e.g., at alocation in front of the rear-facing side 32 thereof.

In one embodiment, the monitor 200 is one component of the monitorassembly 74. The monitor 200 includes a display in one embodiment thatcan receive video signals from the signal source 78 and display imagesbased on the video signals. In one embodiment, the display or monitor200 is an active matrix TFT-LCD panel. Preferably, the monitor 200 isrelatively thin, enabling the entertainment system 18 to be mounted in astandard headrest 14. In one embodiment, the monitor 200 is a 7-inchTFT-LCD display. The monitor 200 can have a 16:9 widescreen format. Thesize of the monitor 200 can vary based on the size of the vehiclestructure with which it is coupled, e.g., with the size of a headrest,within the scope of this application.

In one embodiment, the monitor 200 is mounted in a monitor housing 204.The housing 204 provides various functions. For example, the monitorhousing 204 enables users to handle the monitor assembly 74 withoutdirectly touching the monitor 200. Also, the monitor housing 204 is ableto absorb some shock to reduce the likelihood that normal interactionwith occupants and objects in a vehicle will damage the monitor 200. Themonitor housing 204 also can host a plurality of controls 208. Thecontrols 208 can be conventional controls, such as would control theoperation of the monitor 200 or an aspect of reproduction of theinformation from the signal source. In one arrangement, the controls 208include a feature whereby transmission of a portion of the signalgenerated by the signal source (e.g., an audio component) is controlled,such as is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/361,744,filed on Feb. 7, 2003 and published as U.S. Patent ApplicationPublication No. 2004/0080213 A1 on Apr. 29, 2004, the entire contents ofwhich are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The entertainment system 18 preferably also includes a locking device212. The locking device 212 can be mounted on the monitor assembly 74,on the components mounting frame 20, or a portion on each of the monitorassembly 74 and the components mounting frame 20. In one embodiment, thelocking device 212 includes a catch member 212 a and an actuatable latchmember 212 b. The catch member 212 a can be located on the componentmounting frame 20, e.g., at least partially within the monitor assemblycavity 182. The actuatable latch member 212 b can be located on themonitor housing 204, e.g., adjacent a lower edge thereof. The lockingdevice 212 maintains the monitor 200 in a fully closed position(discussed further below) until the locking device 212 is unlocked, forexample by actuating the movable latch 212 b. The locking device 212also can take suitable, conventional forms.

In one embodiment, the monitor assembly 74 also includes a motionlimiter device 220. In one embodiment, the motion limiter device 220includes a looped portion 221A coupled at both ends with a mount fixture221B as shown in FIG. 10. The motion limiter device 220 can take otherforms, e.g., as an S-hook, a chain, an elastic member, string, or otherconventional coupler. The motion limiter device 220 can comprise anelongate member configured to be connected to the component mountingframe 70 at one end and to a mount portion 224 located on the monitorhousing 204 at another end. For example, a post or other structure forcoupling to one end of the motion limiter device 220 can be formed inthe monitor assembly cavity 182. In another arrangement, an aperture(e.g., a threaded hole) can be formed in the monitor assembly cavity 182and the motion limiter device 220 can be coupled with the componentmounting frame 70 via the aperture, e.g., with a fastener, an adhesive,a combination thereof, or other suitable means. In one embodiment, themount portion 224 comprises a hook or other structure for coupling to anend of the motion limiter device 220.

In one arrangement, the motion limiter 220 can be quickly disengaged toallow the monitor housing 204 to move to an assembly position, discussedbelow. This is facilitated in one arrangement by permanently affixingone end of the motion limiter 220 in the monitor assembly cavity 182 andlooping the other end around a hook formed on the rear side of themonitor housing 204.

As discussed above, the monitor assembly 74 is coupled with the mountingframe 70 in the preferred embodiment. In one arrangement, the monitorassembly 74 is configured to move relative to the component mountingframe 70. Movement of the monitor assembly 74 can alter the orientationof the monitor 200. The arrangement described above enables the monitor200 of the monitor assembly 74 to move relative to the headrest 14between a plurality of positions. For example in one embodiment, afully-closed position is provided in which the monitor 200 is retractedinto the monitor assembly cavity 182. The fully-closed position isillustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Another position is illustrated in FIGS.1, 2, and 3, wherein the monitor 200 is tilted out such that a lower endthereof is spaced farther from the monitor assembly cavity 182 than isan upper portion of the monitor 200.

FIG. 10 illustrates a third position in which the monitor 200 is in aninstallation position. In one embodiment, an installation positionorients the monitor 200 at about a 90° angle relative to a plane thatincludes a base of the monitor assembly cavity 182. This positionadvantageously provides access to the off-set mount posts 146. Forexample, where the mounting component frame 70 is coupled with themounting system 22, discussed below, a fastening device can be insertedthrough a top portion of off-set mount post 146 (e.g., through theapertures 148). The top portion of the off-set mount post 146corresponds to the base of the monitor assembly cavity 182 in oneembodiment. Fastening devices can further be advanced to the bottom ofthe off-set mount posts 146 (e.g., through the apertures 147) andcoupled with the mounting system 22.

Preferably, the monitor assembly 74 is configured such that when themonitor 200 is positioned in an installation position, such as thatshown in FIG. 10, the monitor 200 maintains its orientation relative tothe base of the monitor assembly cavity 182. Such an arrangement can beprovided by configuring the monitor coupling portion 90 (e.g., the hingemount(s) 94) such that the monitor 200 locks in place when in theinstallation position. In one arrangement, the motion limiter 220 can bea bracket or other compression member which holds the monitor 200 in theassembly orientation. One collapsible bracket arrangement is disclosedin U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,546, which is incorporated by reference above.

Preferably, the monitor assembly 74 also includes a plurality ofapertures 222 formed in a rear surface thereof. The apertures in therear surface of the monitor assembly 74 enable heat generated by themonitor 200 to be removed from the monitor assembly 74. As discussedabove, the component mounting frame 70 is configured to transfer suchheat through apertures formed therein. The apertures 222 can be similarto the apertures 172. In some embodiments, the configuration andposition of the apertures 222 and the apertures 172 are the same so thatheat can be efficiently vented from the monitor 200 and from the monitorassembly cavity 182. Such heat can further be removed by way of acooling system 86, discussed below.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate additional aspects of the cover 82, describedabove. Preferably the cover 82 is configured to move relative to thecomponent cover mount portion 110. As discussed above, the movement canbe by way of a movable mount 122 (e.g., a hinge). Preferably the cover82 is configured to extend from the mount 122 to a location verticallyover the component access aperture 130. In one embodiment, the cover 82extends from the mount 122 to a location vertically over the componentaccess aperture 130 and over one or more control buttons 228 formed onor located adjacent the component cover mount portion 110. The controlbuttons 228 can be associated with one or more components of theentertainment system 18, e.g., one or more of the signal source 78 andthe monitor 200. For example, the control buttons 228 can control atleast one aspect of at least one of an audio and a video component of asignal from the signal source 78. In one embodiment, the cover 82 isconfigured to conform to a portion of the component cover mount portion110 that is substantially parallel to a top surface of the headrest 14.In another embodiment, the cover 82 is configured to conform to aportion of the component cover mount portion 110 that is substantiallyparallel to a transitional surface that extends between the top surfaceand the rear-facing surface 32 of the headrest 14. The component cover82 can be curved between a top and a transitional surface. Preferablythe component cover 82 conforms to an outer surface of the headrest 14.

FIG. 2 shows another feature of the cover 82, which is provided in someembodiments. As discussed further below, the headrest entertainmentassembly 10 includes a cooling system configured to efficiently extractheat generated by the components thereof from the headrest 14. To thisend, a cover 82 can be provided with one or more venting structures 230.The venting structures 230 are configured to permit heat generatedwithin the headrest, e.g., in the entertainment system mounting cavity34, to flow out to the outside of the headrest. In one embodiment, theventing structure 230 is provided with the plurality of perforations,which can be formed as an array of small holes. A substantial number ofthe holes in the array extend at least partially between a lower surfaceand an upper surface of the cover 82. Accordingly, warm air adjacent thelower surface of the cover 82 can be more quickly transferred to theupper surface of the cover 82 and out of the headrest 14. Although theventing structure 230 is shown in FIG. 2 as a regular array of visibleholes, the venting structure can be an irregular array, e.g.,concentrated in a portion of the cover over a component that generatesmore heat.

The venting structure 230 can be configured to be substantiallyinvisible to the naked eye of passengers in some arrangements. In oneembodiment, the cover 82 is formed of a permeable material lackingvisible holes but through which warm air can be quickly conveyed. Also,a cover 82 may include different numbers of holes in different regionsbased upon where greater heat is expected to be found. The function ofthe venting structures in combination with a cooling system will bediscussed in greater detail below.

The cover 82 preferably has at least two positions. In a first position,the cover 82 is moved to conform to an upper surface 73 of the componentmounting frame 70. For example, the cover 82 can be moved to conform to,or to extend over or otherwise cover, the component cover mount portion110. In one embodiment, the cover 82 is moved to extend over thecomponent access aperture 130, which is a position sometimes referred toherein as the “closed position” of the cover 82. The closed positionadvantageously limits access to the component access aperture 130. Insome arrangements, the top of the cover 82 is at an elevation below thetop of the headrest 14. In other arrangements, the top of the cover 82is substantially flush with a top surface of the headrest 14, whichprovides a sleek, continuous appearance as viewed from the front of theheadrest 14.

The cover 82 advantageously prevents foreign objects from extending orfalling into the access aperture 130 when in the closed position. Thisfeature can prevent such objects from becoming lodged in the signalsource 78. For example, a passengers sitting in the seat with which theheadrest 14 is coupled may have long hair. Without the cover 82 in theclosed position, the person's long hair could slip through the componentaccess aperture 130 and into the signal source 78. If the signal source78 has moving parts and is operating, the person's hair might becomewound around the moving parts. This could harm the person, the signalsource, or both.

FIG. 2 shows that the cover 82 has at least one other position. In thesecond position, the cover 82 is moved away from the access aperture130. In this position, access is provided to the component accessaperture 130 such that media (e.g., a DVD disc, photo card, data card,etc.) can be inserted therethrough into the signal source 78. The secondposition is sometimes referred to as an “open” position. The openposition also is shown in more detail in the top view of FIG. 3. Asshown in FIG. 3, the open position provides relatively unrestrictedaccess to the component access aperture 130.

As discussed above, in some embodiments the headrest entertainmentassembly 10 is configured to efficiently remove heat from theentertainment system mounting cavity 34 of the headrest. The heat to beremoved can be generated by components mounted therein, e.g., themonitor 200 and the signal source 78. In one form, the headrestentertainment assembly 10 is configured for efficient removal of heat byincluding one or more openings 38 that provide fluid communicationbetween the cavity 34 and the exterior of the headrest 14.

In some embodiments, an airflow path is defined between a first aperture38 that extends through an outer cover 41 of the headrest 14, a secondaperture 38A that extends through the pillow 30, and a third aperture38B that extends through an entertainment system mounting bracket 264,as shown in FIG. 12. Further enhanced cooling can be provided byincluding the first, second, and third apertures 38, 38A, and 38B onboth sides of the headrest entertainment assembly 10. The outer cover 41may comprise fabric, such as solid or perforated leather, or othersuitable material. In some embodiments, the aperture cover 42 extendsacross the aperture 38, as discussed above. The aperture cover 42 may beattached to the outer cover 41 by any suitable means, such as, forexample, by stitching. In some arrangements, the aperture cover 42 andouter cover 41 form one unitary piece of material.

In certain embodiments, an opening in the pillow 30 aligns with theopening in the outer cover 41. The opening in the pillow 30 may beformed by removing a portion of the pillow, such as by cutting out orpunching out the portion. In some embodiments, the opening is formedduring fabrication of the pillow. For example, the mold of a blow-moldedpillow 30 may be shaped to provide for an opening in the pillow once themold is removed.

In certain embodiments, an opening in the entertainment system mountingbracket 264 is aligned with the openings in the outer cover 41 and thepillow 30. As discussed above, the off-set mounting posts 146 may belonger than the height or thickness of the signal source 78. In sucharrangements, when the mounting posts 146 are fastened to theentertainment system mounting bracket, a cavity is formed between thesignal source 78 and the entertainment system mounting bracket 264. Insome embodiments, this cavity is in fluid communication with the airflowpath defined through the apertures 38, 38A, and 38B, allowing heated airto escape from the cavity through the aperture.

In some embodiments, the openings in the entertainment system mountingbracket 264, the outer cover 41, and the pillow 30 may be offset fromeach other. In further embodiments, the airflow path is defined within aconduit, e.g., a tube, extending through the openings.

In various embodiments, as discussed above, a plurality of apertures 38are provided to enhance cooling by creating cross-flow pastheat-generating or past heat-sensitive components. As shown in FIG. 12,in some configurations, the apertures may extend through opposing sidesof the outer cover 41, the pillow 30, and the entertainment systemmounting bracket 264 of the headrest 14. In some embodiments, a cavityis formed between the signal source 78 and the entertainment systemmounting bracket 264. The cavity may be in fluid communication with theplurality of apertures 38, thereby allowing a cross-flow of air throughthe headrest 14. While in some cases, a natural cross-flow is sufficientto remove unwanted heat from the headrest 14, various embodimentsprovide further enhanced cooling by the structures discussed above. Forexample, in one embodiment, a cooling fan 40 is coupled with the coolingsystem mounts 142 as described above.

FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of a cooling fan 40. The cooling fan40 comprises a mounting bracket or housing 40A and a plurality of blades40B. The housing 40A defines a volume within which the plurality ofblades 40B can rotate. In certain embodiments, the housing 40A comprisesa perimeter portion 40C extending around the periphery of the coolingfan 40 and a central portion 40D that covers a junction (not shown) ofthe blades 40B. The junction can be a rotatably mounted hub in oneembodiment. In some embodiments, the perimeter portion 40C and centralportion 40D are connected by one or more support members 40E. Theperimeter portion 40C, central portion 40D, and support members 40E candefine a plurality of openings 40F through which air can flow.

In certain embodiments, the housing 40A is sized to be inserted betweenthe cooling system mounts 142, as described above with respect to FIGS.7-9. In some embodiments, the width of the housing 40A is slightly lessthan the distance between the mounts 142 and the thickness of thehousing is slightly less than the width of the elongated slots of themounts, thereby ensuring a snug fit of the housing within the mounts. Insome embodiments, the width of the housing 40A is between about 25millimeters and about 60 millimeters and the thickness is between about5 millimeters and 15 millimeters. In one embodiment, the width of thehousing 40A is about 40 millimeters and the thickness is about 10.5millimeters. As shown in FIG. 15, in some embodiments, the housing 40Amay be substantially square. In one such embodiment, the width andheight of the housing 40A are each about 40 millimeters and thethickness is about 10.5 millimeters.

In some embodiments, the housing 40A comprises a plurality of openings40G, 40H. The openings 40G may provide an alternative means of mountingthe cooling fan 40 to the component mounting frame 70. In someconfigurations, fasteners are inserted through the openings 40G tosecure the housing 40A to a portion of the component mounting frame 70.In some embodiments, the openings 40G, 40H reduce the weight of thehousing 40A without compromising the structural integrity of thehousing. The openings 40G, 40H may allow venting in addition to thatprovided by other openings 40F of the housing 40A.

The blades 40B may meet at a common junction (not shown). In someembodiments, the junction is coupled with the central portion 40D of thehousing 40A in a manner that allows rotation. In the embodiment depictedin FIG. 15, the axis of rotation is about a line extendingperpendicularly through a plane defined by the perimeter portion 40C. Insome configurations, the blades 40D rotate clockwise about the axis, andin others, the blades rotate counter-clockwise.

In some configurations, it is desirable that the housing 40A and blades40B be substantially rigid and lightweight. The housing 40A and theblades 40B may comprise any suitable material, such as plastic.

In certain embodiments, the cooling fan 40 comprises a lead 401 forcoupling with a power source (not shown). In some embodiments, the powersource operates between about 9.5 Volts and about 15 Volts. The powersource provides a direct current in some configurations. The cooling fan40 can be powered by the car battery. In some embodiments, a batterydedicated to the headrest entertainment assembly 10 powers the coolingfan 40.

The cooling fan 40 can be oriented or configured to force a coolingfluid, e.g., air, into the cavity 34 to enhance convective cooling ofheat generating or heat sensitive components located therein. Thecooling fan 40 can be oriented or configured to draw a cooling fluid,e.g., air, out of the cavity 34 to enhance convective cooling. Also, aplurality of fans 40 can be used, e.g., one to force air into anaperture 38 and another to draw air out through another opening,enhancing cooling.

The openings 38 can also be used in combination with other ventingstructures, such as the venting, structures 230 discussed above. Thisarrangement permits cross-flow of air and allows hot air rising withinthe cavity 32 to escape therefrom. In another embodiment, the openings38 and the venting structure 230 are combined with one or more fans.

As discussed above, further enhancement of the cooling system can beincorporated into one or more support structures located inside thecavity 34. For example, the slots and apertures 172 and 222 areconfigured to permit air to move away from components that may be heatgenerators or heat sensitive, e.g., the monitor 200 or the signal source78. The slots 172 can be aligned with the apertures 222 to enhance thismovement away from such components and into the stream of flow createdby the at least one aperture 38.

Additional cooling can be achieved forward of the entertainment system18. For example, in one embodiment, at least one component of themounting system 22 includes perforations or a plurality of small holes304 through which the movement of hot air can be enhanced. Thisarrangement fosters additional convective cooling on the forward side ofthe signal source 78 in the illustrated embodiment.

Various structures have been discussed above that facilitate theefficient removal of heat from the headrest entertainment assembly 10.Efficient removal of heat is facilitated in some embodiments byproviding enhanced flow within the headrest 14, e.g., in theentertainment system mounting cavity 34. In the figures, structures thatenhance cooling, e.g., by heat transfer by convection, are furtherillustrates with arrows indicating airflow. Although arrowheadsgenerally indicate the direction of airflow (e.g., from the tail of thearrow to the head), some structures permit airflow to be directed towardthe head or toward the tail of the arrow shown.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 12, and 13, an arrow 234 a indicatesairflow through the aperture 38 (or apertures 38, 38A, 38B). In onearrangement, the airflow indicated by the arrow 234 a is through theaperture 38 into the cavity 34. In some applications where relativelylittle heat is generated or the electronics housed in the headrest 14are resistant to heat-induced failure, such flow may be sufficient tocool the components. In other embodiments, the cooling fan 40 is mountedto the cooling system mounts 142 such that it is adjacent to theaperture 38. In this arrangement, greater amounts of airflow can bedirected into the cavity 34, as indicated by the arrow 234 a. An arrow234 b indicates that airflow also can escape from or be forced out ofthe cavity 34 through another aperture 38 (or set of apertures 38B, 38A,38), which can be located on an opposite side of the headrest 14. Thisadvantageously creates cross-flow, which is a greater amount of airflowthan would be provided through the cavity 34 in the absence of theaperture 38 or another venting structure as described herein.

In most embodiments, cross-flow is enhanced by providing a plurality ofpathways for airflow into and out of the cavity 34. In the embodiment ofFIG. 13, two apertures 38 are provided to enhance cross-flow through thecavity 34. In another embodiment, the venting structures 230 are asecond airflow pathway enabling air to escape from the headrest 14,permitting a greater amount of airflow through the headrest. FIGS. 1 and2 illustrate that cross-flow is a broad term that includes thepositioning of multiple venting structure or apertures on sides of theheadrest 14 that are not directly across from each other. Cross-flowenhancing arrangements can be provided by providing at least two ventingstructures on any combination of the side, the top, or the bottom of theheadrest 14. In some embodiments, a plurality of venting structure areprovided on the same side of the headrest 14, e.g., one adjacent the fan40 and one spaced therefrom.

As discussed above, the venting structures 230 are particularlybeneficial in providing for egress of heat by convection from the cavity34 because hot air will rise toward the top of the cavity. One systemthat provides particularly rapid cooling of the cavity 34 incorporates aplurality of apertures formed on surfaces of the headrest 14 and theventing structure 230 on a top surface of the assembly 10, e.g., on theaperture cover 42.

In some applications the assembly 10 includes a heat management systemthat incorporates external venting structures, e.g., at least one of theaperture(s) 38 and the venting structure 230, and one or more internalstructure configured to enhance heat transfer away from at least oneheat generating component. For example, as discussed above, the heatmanagement system can include heat transfer enhancing structures formedon electronic components or housings therefore, such as the apertures222 formed in the monitor assembly 74. The heat management system alsocan include heat transfer enhancing structures formed on structures thatare partly or occasionally exposed to the external ambient, such as theslots 172 formed in the component mounting frame 70. The heat managementsystem also can include heat transfer enhancing structures formed onstructures that are enclosed in or at least substantially entirelyenclosed in the cavity 34, e.g., the holes 304 formed in theentertainment system mounting bracket 264.

By combining the venting structures and other heat transfer enhancingstructures, more electronic devices can be packed into the confinedspace of the headrest 14, whereby greater functionality and performanceis provided to the assembly 10.

The structures discussed herein for efficiently removing heat from theheadrest entertainment assembly 10 provide several advantages. Forexample, by providing sufficient cooling, multiple components can bemounted within the cavity 34 while maintaining levels of heat that areacceptable to the passenger. Also, the level of heat in the cavity 34 iskept at an acceptable level to reduce component failure due to excessiveheating. These and other features make the devices disclosed and claimedherein particularly advantageous.

As discussed above, the headrest entertainment assembly 10 also includesa mounting system 22 that facilitates installation of the entertainmentsystem in the entertainment system mounting cavity 34 of the headrest14.

In one arrangement, the mounting system 22 includes one or more (e.g.,two) seat posts 26, a pillow mounting bracket 260, an entertainmentsystem mounting bracket 264, and an entertainment system mountingfeature 268. In one arrangement, as discussed above, the entertainmentsystem mounting bracket 264 is perforated, e.g., with the plurality ofsmall holes 304 formed therein.

In one arrangement, the entertainment system mounting feature 268comprises a plurality of posts, e.g., four posts, which extend throughcorresponding apertures in the entertainment system mounting bracket264. The posts 268 can be threaded to facilitate fastening of theperforated entertainment system mounting bracket 264 to the pillowmounting bracket 260. In one arrangement, the pillow mounting bracket260 includes a recess, which may be a substantially U-shaped recess,formed on an upper side of the pillow mounting bracket. To give theheadrest 14 a more solid feel, a spacer member 276 may be positionedbetween the pillow 30 and the entertainment system mounting bracket 264.

Further features of the pillow mounting bracket 260 increase thestrength of the headrest entertainment assembly 10, particularly of theheadrest 14. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the pillow mountingbracket 260 includes a first plate-like portion 265A and a secondplate-like portion 265B. To provide additional strength to the pillowmounting bracket 260, at least one of the plate-like portions 265A, 265Bis provided with one or more reinforcing members 266 to increase thestrength of the portion of the plate-like portions 265A, 265B thatresides between the posts 26. In one arrangement, the reinforcing member266 comprises an elongated depression or channel formed in at least oneof the plate like portions 265A, 265B. The depression or channelincreases the resistance of the plate-like portion to bending orcreasing along a plane parallel to the posts in the event of acollision. This arrangement provides other advantages. For example, itcan permit other components to be less bulky. For example, athinner-walled post 26 could be used. As discussed below, providing athinner walled post 26 increases clearance for routing cables, whichmakes assembly of the headrest entertainment assembly 10 much easier.

FIG. 14 shows an axis A₂ about which the pillow mounting bracket 260 canbe rotated relative to the seat post 26. The headrest 14 can thus betilted relative to a seat with which it is coupled. In otherembodiments, tilting about the axis A₂ is not required and is notprovided.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate a first stage of one method of assembling theheadrest entertainment assembly 10. In the first stage, the pillow 30and other portions of the headrest 14 generally defining the cavity 34are provided. The portion of the headrest 14 can be made in any suitablefashion, e.g., by molding. However, as discussed above, this portion ofthe headrest 14 is a separate, discrete portion of the headrestentertainment assembly 10, e.g., it can be shipped, stored, andinventoried separately from the other components of the assembly 10. Asdiscussed above, this portion of the headrest 14 has a seat mountingaperture 46 through which a pillow mounting bracket 260 can be inserted.FIG. 12 illustrates that in one embodiment, the pillow mounting bracket260 is inserted through the aperture 46 until the U-shaped portion 274engages the spacer member 276.

In one technique, thereafter the entertainment system mounting bracket264 is coupled with the pillow mounting bracket 260 in the cavity 34.FIGS. 5 and 12 illustrate that after the entertainment system mountingbracket 264 is coupled with the pillow mounting bracket 260, the pillowmounting bracket is not able to be separated from the portion of theheadrest 14 including the pillow 30. This is one technique forassembling the mounting system 22 to the portion of the headrest 14including the pillow 30. In one embodiment, the entertainment systemmounting bracket 264 includes a passage 308 for routing cables from theentertainment system 18, as discussed below.

In some embodiments, techniques for quickly and efficiently assemblingthe headrest entertainment assembly 10 involve routing signal cablesthrough the mounting system 22. In particular, one advantageoustechnique routes signal cables through one or more mount posts 26.

Further techniques for assembling the headrest entertainment assembly 10are discussed above. In particular, the monitor assembly 74 can becoupled with the frame 70 as discussed above in connection with FIGS.6-9. Thereafter, the monitor 200 can be tilted to an installationposition, such as is shown in FIG. 10. Thereafter fasteners and themotion limiter 220 can be applied to couple the frame 70 to the mountingsystem 22.

FIG. 16 schematically illustrates one embodiment of a video system 300comprising multiple entertainment systems 18. In certain embodiments,each entertainment system 18 is mounted in the headrest 14 of a vehicle.Each entertainment system 18 can be coupled with an entertainment systemcable 310 capable of extending through the post 26 of the headrest 14.In some embodiments, each entertainment system cable 310 comprises anentertainment system plug or connector 311 sized and configured toextend through the post 26. In certain embodiments, each entertainmentsystem connector 311 can be configured to couple with an adapter 312. Insome embodiments, the adapter 312 comprises adapter plugs or connectors313 configured to couple with the entertainment system connectors 311.The adapter 312 can further comprise one or more primary adapter cables314 coupled with the adapter connectors 313. In certain configurations,the one or more primary adapter cables 314 and an auxiliary adaptercable 318 extend from a junction 316. In some embodiments, the adapter312 is coupled with a power source 320. In further embodiments, theadapter 312 is coupled with the power source 320 via a noise suppressor325.

FIG. 16A illustrates one advantageous embodiment of the adapter 312. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the adapter 312 comprises a single unithaving a first branch 331, a second branch 332, and a third branch 333.Each of the first and second branches 331, 332 includes a primaryadapter cable 314 having the junction 316 at one end and an adapterconnector 313 at another end. The third branch 333 includes a secondaryadapter cable 318 having the junction 316 at one end and a heat shrinktube 340 at another end. As further described below, each of the primaryand secondary adapter cables 314, 318 can include one or more branchesof communication lines and/or electrical lines. In some embodiments, thejunction 316 includes a heat shrink tube that tightly engages theprimary and secondary adapter cables 314, 318.

In the illustrated embodiment, one branch of a first electrical line 351and one branch of a second electrical line 352 extend from the tube 340,which in some embodiments, is a heat shrink tube. In certainembodiments, the first electrical line 351 comprises a fuse 355 and aninterlocking connector 361 configured to couple with the noisesuppressor 325. In certain embodiments, the second electrical line 352comprises an interlocking connector 362 configured to couple with thenoise suppressor 325. The noise suppressor 325 can be coupled with thepower source 320.

With reference to FIG. 16B, in some embodiments, each adapter connector313 includes a coupling interface 370 for coupling with an entertainmentsystem connector 311. In certain advantageous embodiments, the couplinginterface 370 includes any suitable interface, such as a pin/sheath or aplug/socket interface, for creating a mechanical and electricalconnection between an adapter connector 313 and an entertainment systemconnector 311. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling interface 370of the adapter connector 313 comprises seven pins for coupling with anentertainment system connector having seven sheaths.

As described in further detail below, in certain embodiments, theadapter 312 allows entertainment systems 18 to be interconnected rapidlyand efficiently. In some advantageous embodiments, the adapter 312couples an output of a first entertainment system 18 with an input of asecond entertainment system 18, and couples an output of the secondentertainment system 18 with an input of the first entertainment system18. In many embodiments, the entertainment system connectors 311 of theentertainment systems 18 have the same configuration, and the firstbranch 331 or the second branch 332 of the adapter 312 can be coupledwith either the first or second entertainment system 18. Accordingly,the first and second adapter branches 331, 332 can be interchangeable,which can greatly facilitate installation of multiple entertainmentsystems 18. Additionally, the adapter can couple multiple entertainmentsystems 18 with a power source via a single set of electrical lines,which can also facilitate installation.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 17, in certain embodiments, theentertainment system 18 comprises the signal source 78 and the monitor200. The signal source 78 is capable of producing a signal, at least aportion of which is displayable on the monitor 200. In some embodiments,the signal source 78 is a device that reads a form of media and producesa signal at least partially displayable on the monitor 200. For example,the signal source 78 can be a DVD player, a photo card reader, or an MP3player.

In some configurations, the entertainment system 18 comprises an output421 for communicating the signal produced by the signal source 78 to adevice other than the monitor 200. For example, via the output 421 ofone entertainment system 18, the signal from the signal source 78 can becommunicated to a separate entertainment system 18. In some embodiments,the monitor 200 of the entertainment system 18 comprises the output 421.In other embodiments, the signal source 78 of the entertainment system18 comprises the output 421. In still other embodiments, a pin, plug, orother coupling device of the entertainment system connector 311comprises the output 421.

In some configurations, the entertainment system 18 comprises an input423 for receiving a signal. In some arrangements, the signal receivedvia the input 423 of one entertainment system 18 is generated by thesignal source 78 of a separate entertainment system 18. In someembodiments, the monitor 200 of the entertainment system 18 comprisesthe input 423. In other embodiments, the signal source 78 of theentertainment system 18 comprises the input 423. In still otherembodiments, a pin, plug, or other coupling device of the entertainmentsystem connector 311 comprises the input 423. Accordingly, in someembodiments, a single connector 311 comprises the input 423 and theoutput 421 of the entertainment system 18.

In certain embodiments, the monitor 200 of the entertainment system 18is operable in more than one state. In some embodiments, the monitor 200displays at least a portion of a signal communicated via the output 421when in one state, and displays at least a portion of a signal receivedvia the input 423 when in another state. For example, in some preferredembodiments, the video system 300 comprises two entertainment systems 18generating separate signals. In a first state, the monitor 200 of thefirst entertainment system 18 displays at least a portion of a firstsignal generated by the first signal source 78 that is communicated viathe output 421, and in a second state, the monitor 200 displays at leasta portion of a second signal generated by the second system 18 andobtained via the input 423. In some embodiments, the entertainmentsystem 18 comprises multiple inputs 423 and/or multiple outputs 421. Incertain of such embodiments, the monitor 200 can operate in multiplestates, displaying the signal associated with each input 423 or output421 of the entertainment system 18 in at least one separate state.

In some embodiments, the entertainment system 18 comprises one or moretransmitters 425 for delivering audio information. In certain preferredembodiments, the transmitter 425 operates at infrared frequencies. Inother embodiments, the transmitter 425 operates at radio frequencies. Insome embodiments, the video system 300 comprises two entertainmentsystems 18, each one comprising a transmitter 425. In certain of suchembodiments, the first entertainment system 18 is configured to generatea first video signal and a first audio signal, to deliver at least aportion of the first video signal via the first output 421, to deliverat least a portion of the first audio signal via the first transmitter425, and/or to receive at least a portion of a second video signal viathe first input 423. In certain embodiments, the second entertainmentsystem is configured to generate the second video signal and a secondaudio signal, to deliver at least a portion of the second video signalvia the second output 421, to deliver at least a portion of the secondaudio signal via the second transmitter 425 (preferably at a frequencydifferent from that employed by the first transmitter 425), and/or toreceive at least a portion of the first video signal via the secondinput 423. By selecting among operating states, a user can access thefirst or second video signal via the monitor 200 of either system 18.The user can also select the first or second audio signal via areceiver, such as a radio within the vehicle or a personal headset, bytuning to the transmitted frequency.

In certain embodiments, signals are communicated from and/or deliveredto the entertainment system 18 via the entertainment system cable 310.The entertainment system cable 310 can comprise one or morecommunication lines 430, such as, for example, electrical wires, opticalfibers, and/or any other suitable lines for communicating information.In certain embodiments, the input 423 and the output 421 of theentertainment system 18 are each coupled with a separate communicationline 430. Accordingly, in some embodiments the entertainment systemcable 310 comprises one communication line 430 dedicated to the input423 and another communication line 430 dedicated to the output 421 ofthe entertainment system 18. In other embodiments, the entertainmentsystem cable 310 comprises a separate communication line 430 for each ofmultiple inputs 423 and multiple outputs of the entertainment system 18.

In some embodiments, the entertainment system cable 310 comprises one ormore electrical lines 432 for delivering power to the entertainmentsystem 18. The electrical lines 432 can comprise electrical wires or anyother suitable lines for transmitting power. The entertainment systemcable 310 can also include one or more electrical lines 432 forelectrically grounding the entertainment system 18. For example, in someconfigurations, the entertainment system cable 310 comprises oneelectrical line 432 for coupling the system 18 with a ground of thepower source 320 and comprises another electrical line 432 providing acommon reference or common ground for the entertainment systems 18.

As illustrated in FIG. 18, in certain embodiments, the entertainmentsystem connector 311 comprises a coupling interface 433. The couplinginterface 433 can include any suitable interface, such as a pin/sheathor a plug/socket interface, for creating a connection with a couplinginterface 370 of an adapter connector 313. The connection can be amechanical connection, a friction fit, or some other suitableconnection. In some embodiments, the coupling interface 433 comprises aplurality of couplers 434, which are sheaths in the illustratedembodiment. In certain arrangements, a separate coupler or sheath 434 iscoupled with each communication line 430 or electrical line 432 of theentertainment system cable 310. For example, in the illustratedembodiment, one sheath 434 a is coupled with a communication line 430dedicated to the output 421 of the entertainment system 18, and anothersheath 434 b is coupled with a communication line 430 dedicated to theinput 423 of the entertainment system 18. In some preferredconfigurations, each sheath 434 is sized to contact an outer surface ofa pin, as described below.

In certain embodiments, the entertainment system connector 311 is sizedand configured to extend through the post 26 of the headrest 14. Asdescribed above, the inner cross-sectional size (e.g., diameter) of ahollow passage extending through the post 26 can be increased to allowthe passage therethrough of a larger entertainment system connector 311comprising a greater number of sheaths 434. In some situations, this canbe accomplished by increasing the size (e.g., the inner and outerdiameter) of the posts 26. In other situations, the wall thickness ofthe posts 26 can be decreased. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 18,the entertainment system connector 311 comprises seven sheaths 434.Other embodiments can comprise more or fewer sheaths 434.

With continued reference to FIG. 18, in certain embodiments, an adapterconnector 313 comprises a coupling interface 370 having a plurality ofcouplers 436, which are pins in the illustrated embodiment, that areconfigured to cooperate with the sheaths 434. As noted above,arrangements other than pin/sheath or plug/socket interfaces arepossible for the coupling interfaces 370, 433. In the illustratedembodiment, each of the couplers or pins 436 a-g is sized anddimensioned to fit snugly within a corresponding sheath 434 a-g. Inpreferred embodiments, at least a portion of each pin 436 and eachsheath 434 is capable of conducting electrical signals. The conductingportions of the pins 436 and sheaths 434 preferably contact one anotherwhen the entertainment system connector 311 and adapter connector 313are coupled.

In other embodiments, the entertainment system connector 311 comprisespins 436 and the adapter connector comprises sheaths 434. In still otherembodiments, each connector 311, 313 comprises a combination of pins 436and sheaths 434. In some configurations, the connectors 311, 313comprise complementary connection interface members configured totransmit optical signals, rather than electrical signals.

In certain embodiments, the connector 313 comprises a sleeve 435 a. Insome embodiments, the pins 436 are housed within the sleeve 435 a and donot extend beyond a rim 435 b (also shown in FIG. 19) of the sleeve 435a. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the sleeve 435 a can protect thepins 436 from being bent or otherwise damaged prior to coupling with thesheaths 434 of the connector 311. In many embodiments, the connector 311is sized and configured to fit snugly within the sleeve 435 a whencoupled with the connector 313.

In certain embodiments, the entertainment system connector 311 andadapter connector 313 can be joined only when the sheaths 434 and thepins 436 are properly aligned. As shown in the illustrated embodiment,the adapter connector 313 can comprise a ridge 437 that extends inwardlyfrom the sleeve 435 a of the connector 313. In certain embodiments, theridge 437 is sized and shaped to fit in a channel 438 of theentertainment system connector 311. As illustrated in FIG. 19, theadapter connector 313 can comprise an indicator 439, such as animprinted or painted arrow, on an outer surface thereof fordemonstrating the location of the ridge 437 on an inner surface thereof.In many embodiments, the indicator 439 permits proper connection of theentertainment system connector 311 and the adapter connector 313 withoutinspection of the inner surface of the adapter connector 313, therebyfacilitating the connection process.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 20, in certain embodiments, theadapter connectors 313 are coupled with one or more primary adaptercables 314. The primary adapter cables 314 can comprise communicationlines 430, electrical lines 432, and/or branches thereof. As discussedbelow, in some embodiments, one end of one branch of a communicationline 430 is coupled with one pin 436 of an adapter connector 313 and oneend of another branch of the communication line 430 is coupled with onepin 436 of another adapter connector 313. Similarly, one end of onebranch of an electrical line 432 can be coupled with one pin 436 of anadapter connector 313 and one end of another branch of the electricalline 432 can be coupled with one pin 436 of another adapter connector313.

In certain preferred embodiments, the adapter 312 comprises two adapterconnectors 313. In some configurations, each adapter connector 313comprises five or more pins 436. In preferred embodiments, each adapterconnector 313 comprises the same configuration of pins 436. In theillustrated embodiment, one end of one branch of an electrical line 432c is coupled with the pin 436 c of a first adapter connector 313, andone end of another branch of the electrical line 432 c is coupled withthe pin 436 c of a second adapter connector 313. The electrical line 432c thereby couples both pins 436 c. Similarly, an electrical line 432 dcouples both pins 436 d, and another electrical line 432 e couples bothpins 436 e. Accordingly, the two adapter connectors 313 areinterchangeable with respect to the pins 436 c-e of each connector. Asused herein the term interchangeable is a broad term used in itsordinary sense and includes, without limitation, the ability to use oneconnector in place of another connector.

In the illustrated embodiment, one communication line 430 couples thepin 436 a of the first adapter connector 313 with the pin 436 b of thesecond adapter connector 313. Similarly, a second communication line 430couples the pin 436 b of the first adapter connector 313 with the pin436 a of the second adapter connector 313. Accordingly, the two adapterconnectors 313 are interchangeable with respect to the pins 436 a and436 b.

Advantageously, the inverted configuration of the pins 436 a,b of theadapters facilitates the coupling of inputs 423 and outputs 421 ofentertainment systems 18. In certain embodiments, the video system 300comprises two entertainment systems 18 having substantially similarentertainment system connectors 311. Each entertainment system connector311 has the same configuration of sheaths 434, i.e., for each connector311, the sheath 434 a is coupled with the output 421 of theentertainment system 18 and the sheath 434 b is coupled with the input423 of the entertainment system 18, (see, e.g., FIGS. 17 and 18).Connection of the adapter 312 with the two entertainment systemconnectors 311 effectively couples the input 423 of one entertainmentsystem 18 with the output 421 of the other entertainment system 18, andvice versa.

In some embodiments, the adapter 312 comprises adapter connectors 313each having seven pins 436. In certain of such embodiments, the adapterconnectors 313 are interchangeable. Certain of such embodiments resemblethe illustrated five-pin adapter described above, but comprise twoadditional communication lines 430 running between the adapterconnectors 313. In certain embodiments, the seven-pin adapter 312 isused in a video system 300 comprising two entertainment systems 18, eachhaving two inputs 423 and two outputs 421. The additional communicationlines 430 can allow coupling of a second output 421 of the firstentertainment system 18 with a second input 423 of the secondentertainment system 18, and allow coupling of a second input 423 of thefirst entertainment system with a second output 421 of the secondentertainment system 18.

The interchangeable nature of the adapter connectors 313 canadvantageously reduce the time required to install video systems 300, asno time is lost identifying which adapter connector 313 corresponds withthe entertainment system connector 311 of a given entertainment system18. Furthermore, interchangeable adapter connectors 313 can reduce therisk of improper installation which, in addition to increasing theoverall installation time of a video system 300, could ultimately damagethe video system 300. Additionally, the adapter connectors 313 can allowinteroperability among monitors 200 of different makes and models byproviding a standard interface for coupling with the input 423 andoutput 421 of any monitor 200.

The use of adapters 312 to route signals from one entertainment system18 to another can also provide advantages over the use of a separatesignal source selection unit, such as a device that accepts signals fromentertainment systems 18, DVD players, video game consoles, and/or othersignal sources, and can allow a user to select among the various signalsreceived by the unit. Signal source selection units can be expensive.Furthermore, such units can be costly to install, especially in theaftermarket where vehicles may not be configured to house signal sourceselection units. Additionally, some vehicles lack the required space forsignal source selection units, or the units take up more space thandesired by vehicle owners. The installation of such units can also betime-consuming. The use of adapters 312 can reduce or eliminate each ofthese problems.

With continued reference to FIG. 20, in certain embodiments, thesecondary adapter cable 318 comprises an additional branch of theelectrical line 432 d and an additional branch of the electrical line432 e. In some embodiments, the electrical lines 432 d and 432 e arecoupled with the power source 320. The power source 320 can be analternating current or direct current source. In some embodiments, thepower source 320 comprises the power source of a vehicle. In otherembodiments, the power source 320 is dedicated to the video system 300.In some embodiments, the electrical line 432 d is connected to theground of the power source 320. In other embodiments, the electricalline 432 d is connected to some other suitable ground.

As illustrated in FIG. 20A, in certain embodiments, the electrical lines432 d and 432 e are coupled with the noise suppressor 325. In someembodiments, the noise suppressor 325 comprises an input power lead 326,an input ground lead 327, an input accessory lead 328, an output powerlead 329 and an output ground lead 330. In some embodiments, theelectrical line 432 e is coupled with the output power lead 329 and theelectrical line 432 d is coupled with the output ground lead 330. Insome embodiments, the each of the leads 329, 330 comprises a firstinterlocking connector 371 and each of the lines 432 d, 432 e comprisesa second interlocking connector 372. The first and second interlockingconnectors 371, 372 can be configured to engage one another by frictionfit or by some other suitable method. In some embodiments, theinterlocking connectors 371, 372 are coupled via a fastener, such as aclip or a screw.

In some embodiments, the noise suppressor 325 is coupled with the powersource of a vehicle. The input power lead 326 can be coupled with apower line of the vehicle, the input ground lead 327 can be grounded ina suitable manner, and the input accessory lead 328 can be coupled withthe accessory power line of the vehicle. In many embodiments, the noisesuppressor filters and/or reduces hum from the engine power line,thereby providing a smoother waveform to the output power lead 329 thanis received from the input power lead 326.

The input accessory lead 328 can serve a variety of functions. In onepreferred embodiment, the input accessory lead 328 signals that avehicle is being shut off, tripping circuitry within the noisesuppressor 325 to reduce power output to the entertainment systems 18.In some embodiments, the reduced power output causes one or more DVDplayers of the entertainment systems 18 to store playback information tomemory prior to shutting down. In some embodiments, the input accessorylead 328 comprises a fuse 335.

With reference again to FIG. 20, in some embodiments, the electricalline 432 c couples pins 436 c of the adapter 312. Accordingly, in somepreferred embodiments, the electrical line 432 c provides a commonground among entertainment systems 18 coupled to the adapter 312. Inother embodiments, each entertainment system 18 is grounded separately.

In some embodiments, one or more secondary adapter cables 318 cancomprise one or more branches of communication lines 430. Thecommunication lines 430 thus can be coupled at one end with a signalsource, such as, for example, a signal source selection unit, a DVDplayer, a television tuner, etc. Branches of the one or morecommunication lines 430 can be routed through the primary adapter cables314 and coupled with the adapter connectors 313. The entertainmentsystems 18 can communicate with the communication lines 430, therebyproviding additional viewing and/or listening options to users of thesystems 18.

In certain embodiments, the junction 316 comprises a seal for joiningthe primary adapter cables 314 and the secondary adapter cable 318. Insome embodiments, the seal comprises a molded dielectric material, suchas polyvinylchloride, that is heat sealed around the primary cables 314and the secondary cable 318.

As illustrated in FIG. 21, in some embodiments, a retainer or retentiondevice 440 secures the entertainment system connector 311 (see, e.g.,FIG. 24) and the adapter connector 313 (see, e.g., FIG. 24) in a coupledconfiguration. In certain embodiments, the retention device 440 isremovable, providing ready access to the connectors 311, 313. In someembodiments, the retention device 440 comprises a first housing member441 and a second housing member 442 that substantially surround theentertainment system connector 311 and the adapter connector 313 whenthe connectors 311, 313 are coupled. In some embodiments, the retentiondevice 440 substantially encloses and/or encapsulates the connectors311, 313. Accordingly, in some instances, the retention device 440 canprotect the connectors 311, 313 from, for example, dust accumulation,humidity, and/or spilled liquids.

In some embodiments, as illustrated, an exterior surface of theretention device 440 is generally cylindrical when the device 440 isclosed. The exterior surface can assume any shape, although generallycylindrical configurations are preferred for use with circularlysymmetric cables 310, 314 and/or circularly symmetric connectors 311,313. In some embodiments, the retention device 440 comprises a singlepiece of material, such as molded plastic. In other embodiments, two ormore pieces can be joined to form the device 440.

In certain embodiments, the first and second housing members 441, 442cooperate to form a cavity 463 (see, e.g., FIGS. 23A and 23B). In manyembodiments, the cavity is sized and configured to accept the connectors311, 313. In some embodiments, the cavity is sized and configured toonly accept the connectors 311, 313 when the connectors are coupled witheach other. For example, the cavity can comprise an axial length that issubstantially equal to the axial length of the connectors 311, 313 in acoupled configuration.

In preferred embodiments, the retention device 440 comprises one or morereleasable locks or fasteners 443 that allow the device 440 to beselectively opened and closed. In the illustrated embodiment, the device440 comprises two fasteners 443. Each fastener 443 comprises a clipextension 444 and a clip aperture 445 that cooperate to allow theselective opening and closing of the device 440, as more fully describedbelow. In various embodiments, the fastener 443 can comprise a clip,clasp, clamp, magnet, hook, hook-and-pile fabric, or other suitablemechanism for maintaining the device 440 in a closed state. In certainembodiments, the fastener 443 is integrally formed with the device 440,and in other embodiments, it is secured to or around the device 440.

FIG. 22 illustrates one embodiment of the retention device 440 in anopen configuration. As shown, the clip extensions 444 are disengagedfrom the clip apertures 445. In certain preferred embodiments, theretention device 440 comprises a hinge 446 that connects the first andsecond housing members 441, 442 and allows the housing members 441, 442to move relative to one another. As illustrated, the hinge 446 can beintegrally formed with the first and second housing members 441, 442. Inother arrangements, the hinge 446 comprises one or more pieces attachedto the first and second housing members 441, 442. In someconfigurations, one or more fasteners 443 are used in place of a hinge446.

In some arrangements, the first housing member 441 comprises one or moreprotrusions 447 and the second housing member 442 comprises one or morerecesses 448. The recesses 448 can be configured to accept theprotrusions 447 when the device 440 is closed, thereby encouragingalignment of the first and second housing members 441, 442. In theillustrated embodiment, the protrusions 447 are substantiallycylindrical with rounded edges. The recesses 448 are also substantiallycylindrical, having a diameter slightly larger than that of theprotrusions 447. The relative sizes of the protrusions 447 and recesses448 can be altered to achieve a tighter or looser fit. A wide variety ofarrangements are possible for the protrusions 447 and recesses 448.

In the illustrated embodiment, the protrusions 447 and recesses 448 arespaced away from the hinge 446. Additionally, one protrusion 447 andrecess 448 pair is located adjacent a proximal end 452 of the device440, and another protrusion 447 and recess 448 pair is located adjacenta distal end 454 of the device 440. As used herein, the terms proximaland distal refer to spatial orientation with respect to theentertainment system 18. Other arrangements of protrusion 447 and recess448 pairs are possible.

In some configurations, the first housing member 441 comprises one ormore first extensions, inward projections, interference surfaces, orridges 461 and the second housing member 442 comprises one or moresecond extensions, inward projections, interference surfaces, or ridges462. In certain configurations, the first and second ridges 461, 462extend inward from a surface of the first and second housing members441, 442, respectively. As illustrated, in some configurations, thefirst and second ridges 461, 462 extend inward along an entire length ofan interior surface of the first and second housing members 441, 442,respectively. In certain configurations, the first and second ridges461, 462 are substantially C-shaped, as shown. In some embodiments, thefirst and second ridges 461, 462 are substantially orthogonal to thesurfaces of the housing members 441, 442 from which the ridges extend.

FIG. 23A illustrates an end-on view of the distal end 454 of oneembodiment of the retention device 440 in a closed configuration. Insome embodiments, the first ridge 461 a cooperates with the second ridge462 a to define an opening 464 a when the device 440 is closed. Incertain configurations, the opening 464 a is smaller in at least onedimension than a cross-section of the retention device 440. For example,in the illustrated embodiment, the opening 464 is generally circular,and the diameter of the circular opening 464 a is smaller than thediameter of the circular cross-section of an exterior surface 465 of theclosed device 440. Similarly, the first ridges 461 b-f and thecorresponding second ridges 462 b-f (shown in FIG. 22) of theillustrated embodiment define circular openings 464 b-f (not shown) ofvarying diameters when the device 440 is closed. As described below, thediameter of each circular opening 464 so formed can assume various sizesdepending on the purpose of the opening 464.

As illustrated in FIG. 23B, in some embodiments, the cross-section ofthe opening 464 a partially defined by the first and second ridges 461a, 462 a is noncircular. For example, in certain cylindricalconfigurations, the ridges 461 a and 462 a extend only along a partiallength of a surface of the first and second housing members 441, 442,respectively. In certain of such configurations, the opening 464 adefined by the ridges 461 a and 462 a when the device 440 is closed hasa measurement in one dimension equal to the diameter of the circularcross-section of an interior surface 466 of the closed device 440, and ameasurement in another dimension smaller than the cross-sectionaldiameter of the interior surface 466. Various other openingconfigurations can be used, although circular openings are preferred foruse with circularly symmetric cables and circularly symmetricconnectors.

With continued reference to FIGS. 23A and 23B, in certain embodiments,the clip extension 444 comprises an arm portion 466 and a tip portion467. The tip portion 467 can comprise a face 468 and a ledge 469. Incertain embodiments the face 467 is angled such that when the device 440is being closed, the clip aperture 445 forces the tip portion 467 inwardtoward the device 440. As a result, the arm portion 446 is bent, givingrise to a restoring force that eventually seats the ledge 469 under theclip aperture 445 when the device 440 is closed. A top surface of theledge 469 abuts a bottom surface of the clip aperture 445, therebyretaining the device 440 in a closed position. To open the device 440,the tip portion 467 is depressed toward the device 440 until the topsurface of the ledge 469 no longer contacts the bottom surface of theclip aperture 445. In some instances, an upward force is applied to thetip portion 467 to encourage it through the clip aperture 445. In otherinstances, the device 440 is biased toward opening such that no upwardforce need be applied to the tip portion 467 to encourage it through theclip aperture 445.

FIG. 24 illustrates one embodiment of a retention device 440 in an openconfiguration located alongside a coupled adapter connector 313 andentertainment system connector 311. As described above, in certainembodiments, the ridges 461 and 462 cooperate to form openings 464 whenthe device is closed. In general, the openings 464 can encouragealignment of the connectors 311, 313. In some embodiments, the openings464 are sized to allow the passage therethrough of a cable (e.g., thecable 310 or the cable 314), but prevent the passage therethrough of aconnector (e.g., the entertainment system connector 311 or the adapterconnector 313). In other embodiments, the openings 464 are sized toprevent the passage therethrough of the cable as well. For example, theopenings 464 can be sized smaller than a thickness of the cable. Incertain embodiments, the ridges 461, 462 comprise a material having ahigh coefficient of friction with respect to a casing of the cable toaid in preventing the movement of the cable. In some embodiments, thecasing comprises rubber and the ridges 461, 462 comprise molded plastic.In some embodiments, the ridges 461 and 462 comprise a roughened oretched surface.

In certain embodiments, the adapter connector 313 comprises one or moreextensions, projections, or interference surfaces 472 that extendoutward from a center of the connector 313. In the illustratedembodiment, the adapter connector 313 comprises two extensions 472 a,472 b. The extensions 472 a, 472 b comprise distal and proximal faces,respectively, of the adapter connector 313. Each extension 472 a, 472 bextends substantially perpendicularly from an axial center of theconnector 313. In certain embodiments, the entertainment systemconnector comprises one or more extensions 474 that extend outward froma center of the connector 311. In the illustrated embodiment, eachextension 474 a, 474 b, and 474 c extends substantially perpendicularlyfrom an axial center of the connector 311.

In some embodiments, the opening 464 b formed by the ridges 461 b and462 b when the device 440 is closed is smaller in at least one dimensionthan the extension 472 a. In certain of such embodiments, the opening464 d formed by the ridges 461 d and 462 d is smaller in at least onedimension than the extension 474 a, and/or the opening 464 e formed bythe ridges 461 e and 462 e is smaller in at least one dimension than theextension 474 c. In such configurations, the ridges 461 b,d,e and 462b,d,e can operate to prevent the separation of the coupled connectors311, 313. For example, in certain embodiments, as axial forces areapplied to the cables 310, 314 in a manner that would separate theconnectors 311, 313, the extension 472 a contacts one or more of theridges 461 b and 462 b. Similarly, the extension 474 c contacts one ormore of the ridges 461 e and 462 e. Accordingly, the ridges 461 b,e and462 b,e cooperate with the extensions 472 a and 474 c to prevent theconnectors 311, 313 from moving away from each other, e.g., interferencesurfaces cooperate to prevent axial movement of the connectors 311, 313relative to each other. In some embodiments, additional interferencesurfaces cooperate with each other to prevent relative movement betweenthe connectors 311, 313. For example, in some embodiments, the ridges461 d and 462 d cooperate with the extension 474 a to prevent theconnector 311 from moving axially with respect to the connector 313. Infurther embodiments, one or more of the openings 464 a,b,e,f throughwhich the cables 310, 314 can extend are smaller than the cables 310,314, which further serves to prevent separation of the connectors 311,313.

In some embodiments, the retention device 440 comprises one or moresurfaces, or interference surfaces, configured to prevent the connectors311, 313 from moving laterally relative to each other. In theillustrated embodiment, the device 440 comprises interior surfaces 481and 482. In some embodiments, the interior surfaces 481, 482 compriseone substantially continuous surface when the device 440 is closed. Insome embodiments, the interior surfaces 481, 482 contact an exteriorsurface 483 of the connector 313 when the device is closed 440. Incertain of such embodiments, the interior surfaces 481, 482 cooperatewith the exterior surface 483 to substantially prevent the connector 313from moving in a transverse or lateral direction relative to theconnector 311. For the illustrated case of a circularly symmetricalconnector 313, the transverse or lateral direction can be, for example,any radial direction. In certain embodiments, contact between theinterior surfaces 481, 482 and the exterior surface 483 along an axiallength of the connector 311 maintains a longitudinal axis of theconnector 311 aligned with a longitudinal axis of the device 440 andprevents radial movement of the connector 311 relative to the connector313. Similarly, in some embodiments, contact between interior surfaces484, 485 and 486, 487 of the device 440 and exterior surfaces 488, 489of portions of the connector 313, respectively, maintains a longitudinalaxis of the connector 313 aligned with a longitudinal axis of the device440 and prevents radial movement of the connector 313 relative to theconnector 311.

In further embodiments, the retention device 440 can compriseinterference surfaces, such as the surfaces 481-484, that preventrotational movement of the connectors 311, 313 relative to each other,such as by friction (as described below). In many embodiments, someinterference surfaces of the device 440 are configured to prevent orinhibit multiple forms of relative movement between the connectors 311,313.

In some embodiments, an interior surface of the retention device 440 issmaller than an exterior surface of one or more of the connectors 311,313. In such embodiments, friction can arise between one or more of theconnectors 311, 313 and the device 440 when the device 440 is closed,thereby helping to secure or securing the connectors 311, 313 in acoupled configuration. In certain of such embodiments, the interiorsurface of the device 440 is coated with a high-friction material, isroughened, or is etched, thereby increasing the friction. Furthermore,in such embodiments, the retention device 440 can be placed in tensionwhen the device 440 is closed, thereby creating a bias towards being inan open configuration. As discussed above, such a bias can aid inopening the device 440 when the clip configuration of the illustratedembodiment is employed.

The retention device 440 can provide various advantages overconventional methods, such as the use of electrical tape, for securingconnectors to one another. As discussed above, the retention device 440can apply normal and frictional forces to the connectors 311, 313. Theseforces can often be stronger than the forces supplied by electricaltape, thereby ensuring a more reliable coupling of the connectors. Theuse of a retention device 440 also facilitates replacement of anentertainment system 18, if needed. Whereas removing electrical tape canbe time consuming, removal of the retention device 440 is relativelyquick.

In some embodiments, a headrest-mounted entertainment system includes ascreen structure that can be rotated relative to the headrest in whichit is mounted. In certain of such embodiments, the screen structureincludes both a viewing screen and a media reader, such as, for example,a DVD player. The ability to rotate the screen structure in a system ofthis variety can provide various advantages, such as the selection of adesired viewing angle of the screen and/or the ability to load a storagedevice into the media reader.

However, in some instances, inclusion of a media reader as a part of thescreen structure increases the overall mass of the structure. Theincreased mass can yield higher stresses on certain portions of thescreen structure in the event of a collision, which can potentiallycause the structure to rotate outward from the headrest in anundesirable manner and/or separate from the headrest and move throughthe passenger compartment of a vehicle. For example, in some instances,the increased mass of the screen structure can produce higher stresseson hinge members that connect the structure with the headrest,potentially causing the structure to break free from the hinge members.Once freed from the hinge members, the screen structure could moveunrestrained through the vehicle.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein advantageously reduce or eliminateat least the foregoing problems. Although some embodiments are describedin the context of screen structures that include media readers, thedisclosed features can be employed beneficially in a variety ofcontexts, including, without limitation, screen structures that do notinclude media readers. Accordingly, the following discussion should notbe construed as being limited to the disclosed embodiments, which arepresented herein by way of illustration.

FIG. 25 illustrates an embodiment of a headrest device, headrest displayunit, or entertainment system 500. The entertainment system 500 canresemble any of the entertainment systems 18 described above in variousrespects, and can differ in other respects, such as those describedhereafter.

In certain embodiments, the entertainment system 500 includes a headrest502, which can resemble the vehicle headrest 14 described above. In someembodiments, the headrest 502 includes one or more seat posts orheadrest posts 504 such as the posts 26 described above. As furtherdiscussed below, the posts 504 can form a portion of a mountingstructure, framework, or mounting assembly 506 (also shown in FIG. 26),which can be configured to provide structure to the entertainment system500. As discussed below, components of the entertainment system 500 canbe attached to the mounting structure in relatively fixed engagement.

In certain embodiments, the posts 504 are sized and shaped so as to beslidably received in a seat back 508, which can be mounted in a vehicle.In some embodiments, the posts 504 permit a portion of the headrest 502against which a passenger can rest his or her head to be selectivelyspaced from the seatback 508. For example, in some embodiments, theposts 504 include notches or indentations that interact with detents inthe seatback 508 to selectively secure the headrest 502 in a variety ofpositions.

In some embodiments, the headrest 502 includes one or more cushions,pillows, or pads 510 such as the pad 30 described above. The pads 510can be formed in any suitable manner, such as any of the methodsdescribed above. In some embodiments, a plurality of pads 510 are fittedto each other or otherwise joined to form a larger pad structure or padassembly. For example, in the illustrated embodiments, two pads 510 a, bare fitted together to form a pad assembly.

In some embodiments, the one or more pads 510 define one or moreopenings 512, such as the openings 38. The openings 512 can be in one ormore side surfaces 514 (see also FIGS. 3 and 4) of the headrest 502, orcan be located in other surfaces of the headrest 502. The one or moreopenings 512 can permit airflow therethrough for purposes of coolingcomponents of the entertainment system 500. In some embodiments, the pad510 b includes a recessed portion that can at least partially define acavity 513. In some embodiments, the cavity 513 is sized and shaped toreceive one or more, two or more, or three or more finger tips of auser. In some embodiments, the cavity has a width between about 0.5inches and about 3.0 inches, between about 0.8 inches and about 2.5inches, between about 1.0 inches and about 2.0 inches, or between about1.0 inches and about 1.5 inches. The one or more openings 512 and thecavity 513 are described further below.

In some embodiments, the headrest 502 defines a front surface or face516 and a rear or back face 518. In many embodiments, the headrest 502is configured to be mounted in a vehicle such that the front face 516substantially faces a direction of forward travel of the vehicle and theback face 518 substantially faces a direction of rearward travel of thevehicle. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the front face 516 can bepositioned to abut a back surface of a head of a passenger. The backface 518 of the headrest 502 can be directed toward a passengercompartment of the vehicle, and can be viewable by passengers seatedrearward of the seatback 508 with which the headrest 502 is coupled. Byway of convenience and not limitation, the terms “front,” “forward,” andthe like are generally used hereafter to describe the direction offorward travel, and the terms “back,” “rear,” and the like are generallyused to describe the direction of rearward travel, when theentertainment system 500 or components thereof are mounted in a vehicle.

With continued reference to FIG. 25, in certain embodiments, theentertainment system 500 includes an outer casing, case, receptacle,bin, or shell 522 (also shown in, e.g., FIGS. 27 and 28); an innercasing, frame, support structure, or housing 524 (also shown in, e.g.,FIGS. 29 and 30); and a monitor structure, display device, screenstructure, or screen assembly 526 (also shown in, e.g., FIGS. 31 and32). As further discussed below, in some embodiments, the shell 522and/or the housing 524 can be coupled in substantially fixed engagementwith the mounting assembly 506. In further embodiments, the screenassembly 526 is pivotally coupled with the housing 524 such that thescreen assembly 526 can rotate relative to the housing 524, and hence,relative to the headrest 502.

In some embodiments, a covering (not shown) is included over the one ormore pads 510. The covering can comprise any suitable material, such as,for example, fabric or leather. In certain embodiments, a portion of thecovering is included between the shell 522 and the housing 524.Accordingly, in some embodiments, the shell 522 is substantially hiddenfrom view by the covering in an assembled entertainment system 500. Insome embodiments, the covering includes one or more aperture covers 42(see FIGS. 1-4) configured to cover the one or more openings 512. Asdescribed above, the aperture covers 42 can include holes or canotherwise be configured to permit the passage of air therethrough.

FIG. 26 illustrates a rear perspective view of an embodiment of amounting assembly 506. In certain embodiments, the mounting assembly 506includes a base plate, core member, or mounting plate 540 coupled withthe one or more posts 504. In some embodiments, the mounting assembly506 further includes an upper bar 542 coupled with the mounting plate540. The posts 504 and the bar 542 can comprise a unitary piece ofmaterial, or alternatively, can include separate pieces. In someembodiments, material and/or manufacturing costs are reduced withoutsignificantly affecting the structural integrity or strength of themounting assembly 506 when the bar 542 and the posts 504 includeseparate pieces. This structure may also provide tolerance benefits. Thebar 542 and the posts 504 can be attached to the mounting plate 540 inany suitable manner, including, for example, via welding or mountinghardware.

In some embodiments, the mounting plate 540 includes a substantiallyplanar portion 544 that defines a relatively flat surface. In someembodiments, the planar portion 544 further defines one or moreapertures or openings 546 that can reduce material costs of producingthe mounting plate 540 and/or the weight of the mounting plate 540without significantly affecting the structural integrity of the mountingplate 540.

In some embodiments, the mounting plate 540 includes one or morereinforcing members 550, such as the reinforcing members 266 describedabove. The reinforcing members 550 can include substantially elongatedchannels that are raised, or alternatively, recessed, relative to theplanar portion 544. In some arrangements, the mounting plate 540includes one or more flanges 552 that extend at an angle (e.g.,substantially perpendicular) to the planar portion 544. The flanges 552can provide the mounting plate 540 with strength and can inhibitbending, twisting, or other deformations of the plate 540. In someembodiments, the flanges 552 extend forward relative to the rear face ofthe substantially planar portion 544. Accordingly, in some embodiments,the flanges 552 do not pose an obstacle to mounting the shell 522 to themounting plate 540.

The mounting plate 540 can include one or more mounting features orprotrusions 560 with which the shell 522 and/or other components of theentertainment system 500 can be coupled, as further described below. Insome embodiments, the protrusions 560 extend rearward from thesubstantially planar portion 544 and can be accepted within openingsdefined by the shell 522. Accordingly, in some embodiments, theprotrusions 560 can inhibit rotation of the shell 522 about an axisperpendicular to the planar portion 544. In some embodiments, themounting plate 540 includes a plurality of protrusions 560 a, b, c, d towhich the shell 522 is secured, and includes one or more additionalprotrusions 560 e, f to which a motion limiting device, deploymentcontroller, or retaining harness 570 (see, e.g., FIG. 32) is secured, asfurther described below. In some embodiments, the protrusions 560 may betapped. Other arrangements for the protrusions or mounting features 560are also possible.

The mounting assembly 506 (e.g., the mounting plate 540, the posts 504,and/or the bar 542, in some embodiments) can comprise any suitablematerial for providing the headrest 502 with structure and strength. Insome embodiments, the mounting assembly 506 comprises a metal, such as,for example, steel. Other materials are also possible.

With reference to FIGS. 27 and 28, in certain embodiments, the shell 522includes a lower portion 582 and an upper portion 584. The terms“upper,” “lower,” and similar terms denoting spatial relationships aregenerally used in this Detailed Description for convenience indescribing the embodiments depicted in the figures. Such terms shouldnot be construed as limiting possible arrangements of the shell 522 orof other components of the entertainment system 500 identified thereby,unless so specified.

In some embodiments, the lower portion 582 is substantially shaped as aparallelepiped which, in further embodiments, can include rounded edgesand/or corners. The lower portion 582 can include a base wall 586 andone or more side walls (or sidewalls) 588. In some embodiments, thelower portion 582 includes four separate sidewalls 588 a, b, c, d atfour sides of the lower portion 582. In some embodiments, threesidewalls 588 a, b, c extend from the base wall 586, and in furtherembodiments, can extend substantially perpendicular with respect to thebase wall 586. The sidewalls 588 a, b, c can include rounded portionsthat connect with the base wall 586. In some embodiments, a fourthsidewall 588 d is spaced from a substantial portion of the base wall586. In some embodiments, the upper portion 584 extends from the fourthsidewall 588 d.

The upper portion 584 can also be shaped as a parallelepiped, which caninclude rounded edges and/or corners. The upper portion 584 can includea back wall 590 and one or more sidewalls 592. In some embodiments, theone or more sidewalls 592 are substantially perpendicular to the backwall 590. In further embodiments, the back wall 590 of the upper portion584 and the base wall 586 of the lower portion 582 are substantiallyparallel. Other shapes and configurations of the shell 522 are alsopossible.

In some embodiments, the shell 522 defines a cavity 600 sized to receiveat least a portion of the housing 524. In some embodiments, the upperand lower extents of the cavity 600 are defined by the upper and lowerportions 582, 584 of the shell 522. The shell 522 can define anaperture, port, opening, or window 602. In some embodiments, the window602 is defined by and/or extends through the base wall 586 of the lowerportion 582. The window 602 can further be defined by one or moresidewalls 592 of the upper portion 584. In some embodiments, the window602 is sized to permit the passage therethrough of a portion of thescreen assembly 526 as the screen assembly 526 is rotated, as furtherdiscussed below.

In certain embodiments, the shell 522 includes one or more mountingfeatures or projections 610. In some embodiments, the projections 610extend from a forward-facing surface of the base wall 586. Eachprojection 610 can define an opening, orifice, channel, or port 612 thatcan extend through the base wall 586. In some embodiments, eachprojection 610 a, b, c, d, e, f defines a port 612 a, b, c, d, e, fsufficiently large to receive a corresponding protrusion 560 a, b, c, d,e, f of the mounting plate 540. In some embodiments, the ports 612 aresized such that the protrusions 560 fit snugly within the projections610. Accordingly, in some arrangements, the projections 610 andprotrusions 560 can cooperate to prevent rotation of the shell 522relative to the mounting plate 540 about an axis substantiallyperpendicular to the mounting plate 540.

In some embodiments, fasteners, coupling devices, or mounting hardwareis advanced through the ports 612 a, b, e, f into the protrusions 560 a,b, e, f to attach the shell 522 to the mounting plate 540. As usedherein, the term “mounting hardware” is a broad term used in itsordinary sense and includes, without limitation, any suitablecombination of fasteners, screws, bolts, nuts, washers, pins, rivets, orthe like. Mounting hardware or fasteners discussed herein can be formedof any suitable material, and in some embodiments, are substantiallyrigid and stress-resistant. For example, any fastener discussed hereincan be formed of metal. In some embodiments, mounting hardware isadvanced through the ports 612 e, f into the protrusions 560 e, f tosecure a portion of the retaining harness 570 to the mounting plate 540,as further described below. Mounting hardware can also be advancedthrough the ports 612 c, d into the protrusions 560 c, d to attach boththe housing 524 and the shell 522 to the mounting plate 540.

The shell 522 can define one or more protrusions 624 a, b. Theprotrusions 624 a, b can each define an opening 626 a, b for receivingmounting hardware. In some embodiments, the openings 626 a, b extendthrough only a portion of the protrusions 624 a, b, and do not extendthrough the entirety thereof. Mounting hardware can be advanced into theprotrusions 624 a, b to attach the housing 524 to the shell 522.

In some embodiments, the shell 522 defines one or more recesses 630 (seeFIG. 28) each configured to receive a portion of the housing 524. Therecesses 630 can help prevent rotation of the housing 524 relative tothe shell 522 about an axis substantially perpendicular to the base wall586.

In some embodiments, the shell 522 defines an opening 640 through whichone or more cables 642 (see FIG. 32) can pass. In some embodiments, theone or more cables 642 comprise one or more of the cable 310, thecommunication lines 430, and/or the electrical lines 432 described abovewith respect to, e.g., FIGS. 16 and 17. Other arrangements are alsopossible. The cable 642 can be of any suitable variety, and can beconfigured to transmit, carry, or otherwise deliver power, signals, orthe like to or from the screen assembly 526. In various embodiments, oneor more of the cables 642 are configured to transmit electrical signals,optical signals, and/or other suitable signals. The one or more cables642 are further discussed below.

With reference to FIG. 28, the shell 522 can include a channel 644 forreceiving the one or more cables 642. In some embodiments, the channel644 is recessed relative to a back surface of the base wall 586 and thusprovides sufficient clearance for the one or more cables 642 to passbetween the shell 522 and the housing 524 in an assembled entertainmentsystem 500. In some embodiments, the one or more cables 642 are mountedto the channel 644. The channel 644 can include one or more openings 646for receiving mounting hardware to secure the one or more cables 642within the channel 644.

With reference again to FIGS. 27 and 28, in some embodiments, the shell522 defines one or more vents or openings 650 through which air can bechanneled. In further embodiments, two openings 650 are defined byopposite sidewalls 588 a, b of the lower portion 582. The openings 650can permit cooling of the entertainment system 500 in a manner such asdescribed above with respect to the entertainment system 18.

In some embodiments, the shell 522 includes one or more extensions 660(see FIG. 27) to which upholstery can be mounted (e.g., via stapling).The extensions can project forward from the back wall 590 of the upperportion 584, in some arrangements.

In certain embodiments, a lower sidewall 588 c defines a recess 662. Asfurther discussed below, the recess 662 can provide space for a flangedefined by the housing 524, which can be beneficial in some embodimentsof a locking mechanism.

The shell 522 can be formed of any suitable material. In preferredembodiments, the shell 522 comprises a substantially rigid materialcapable of providing a structural core about which the pads 510 can bearranged or formed and/or to which a covering of the headrest 502 can beattached. In some embodiments, the shell 522 comprises plastic. Infurther embodiments, the shell 522 comprises a plastic (or a compositeplastic) that is capable of providing rigid support, yet is relativelyflexible or pliable. In some embodiments, the plastic can besubstantially resistant to shattering, shearing, tearing, or otherwisepermanently deforming in the event of a vehicle collision, yet, in theunlikely event that such deformations should occur, the plastic candeform in a manner that results in few, if any, sharp or jagged edges.Accordingly, in the event that a shell 522 does shear or tear in acollision, the plastic can produce one or more edges that are relativelyunlikely to cut a passenger.

In some embodiments, the shell 522 comprises a composite plastic thatincludes acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic (ABS plastic) andpolycarbonate plastic (PC plastic). In various embodiments, thecomposite plastic comprises between about 40 percent and about 90percent ABS plastic and between about 10 percent and about 60 percent PCplastic, between about 50 percent and about 80 percent ABS plastic andbetween about 20 percent and about 50 percent PC plastic, between about60 percent and about 80 percent ABS plastic and between about 20 percentand about 40 percent ABS plastic, or between about 65 percent and about75 percent ABS plastic and about 25 percent and about 35 percent PCplastic. In further embodiments, the composite plastic comprises no lessthan about 40 percent, about 50 percent, about 60 percent, about 70percent, or about 80 percent ABS plastic and comprises no more thanabout 60 percent, about 50 percent, about 40 percent, about 30 percent,or about 20 percent PC plastic. In some embodiments, the compositeplastic comprises about 70 percent ABS plastic and about 30 percent PCplastic. Other combinations of ABS and PC plastic are possible.Furthermore, other plastics may also be included and/or may replace oneor more of the ABS and PC plastic. Additives may also be included withthe composite plastic. Still further compositions are possible.

With reference to FIGS. 29 and 30, in certain embodiments, the housing524 is sized and shaped to be received within the cavity 600 defined bythe shell 522. The housing 524 can include a lower portion 682 and anupper portion 684. In some embodiments, the lower portion 682 is sizedand shaped to be received within the lower portion 582 of the shell 522and the upper portion 684 is sized and shaped to be received within theupper portion 584 of the shell 522.

In some embodiments, the lower portion 682 of the housing 524 includes abase, foundation, backing, mounting portion, or base wall 686 and one ormore borders, sides, edges, or sidewalls 688. In some embodiments, thelower portion 682 includes four separate sidewalls 688 a, b, c, d atfour sides of the lower portion 682. In some embodiments, threesidewalls 688 a, b, c extend from the base wall 686. In someembodiments, a fourth sidewall 688 d is spaced from a substantialportion of the base wall 686. In some embodiments, the upper portion 684extends from the fourth sidewall 688 d.

In some embodiments, one or more of the sidewalls 688 a, b, c, d areangled with respect to the base wall 686. In certain arrangements, twoof the sidewalls 688 a, b are substantially planar, and can extend fromthe base wall 686 at an angle of between about 0 degrees and about 15degrees relative to a line perpendicular to a plane defined by the basewall 686. In some embodiments, a third sidewall 688 c includes one ormore faces or portions 689 a, b that are angled relative to a surfacenormal of the base wall 686 by different amounts. In some embodiments,the angle defined by one or more of the portions 689 a, b is betweenabout 0 degrees and about 30 degrees. Other arrangements are alsopossible.

The upper portion 684 of the housing 524 can be shaped substantially asa parallelepiped, which can include rounded edges and/or corners. Theupper portion 684 can include a back wall 690 and one or more sidewalls692. In some embodiments, the one or more sidewalls 692 aresubstantially perpendicular to the back wall 690. In some embodiments,the back wall 690 defines a series of openings 694 configured to receivethe extensions 660 of the shell 522. The back wall 690 of the upperportion 684 and the base wall 686 of the lower portion 682 can besubstantially parallel, in some arrangements. Other shapes andconfigurations of the housing 524 are also possible.

In some embodiments, the housing 524 defines a cavity 700 sized toreceive at least a portion of the screen assembly 526. In someembodiments, the upper and lower extents of the cavity 700 are definedby the upper and lower portions 682, 684 of the housing 524. The housing524 can define an aperture, port, opening, or window 702. In someembodiments, the window 702 is defined by and/or extends through thebase wall 686 of the lower portion 682. The window 702 can further bedefined by one or more sidewalls 692 of the upper portion 684. In someembodiments, the window 702 is sized to permit the passage therethroughof a portion of the screen assembly 526 as the screen assembly 526 isrotated, as further discussed below.

In certain embodiments, the housing 524 includes one or more mountingfeatures or projections 710. In some embodiments, the projections 710extend from a forward-facing surface of the base wall 686. As describedabove, in some embodiments, at least a portion of one or more of theprojections 710 is sized and shaped to fit snugly within one or more ofthe recesses 630 defined by the shell 522. Interaction of theprojections 710 and the recesses 630 can help to prevent rotation of thehousing 524 relative to the shell 522 about an axis substantiallyperpendicular to the base wall 686

Each projection 710 can define an opening, orifice, channel, or port 712that can extend through the base wall 686. In some embodiments, mountinghardware is advanced through the ports 712 a, b into the ports 626 a, bof the shell 522 to secure the housing 524 to the shell 522. In someembodiments, mounting hardware is advanced through the ports 712 c, d,through the ports 612 c, d of the shell 522, and into the protrusions560 c, d of the mounting plate 540 to secure the housing 524 and theshell 522 to each other and to the mounting plate 540.

In some embodiments, the housing 524 defines one or more vents oropenings 750 through which air can be channeled. In further embodiments,two openings 750 are defined by opposite side walls 688 a, b of thelower portion 682. The openings 750 can be aligned with and/or cancooperate with the openings 650 of the shell 522 and the openings 512 ofthe headrest 502 to permit cooling of the entertainment system 500, asfurther described below.

In some embodiments, the housing 524 defines one or more apertures,paths, ports, openings, or passageways 760. The passageways 760 can besubstantially elongate, and in some embodiments, extend from the basewall 686 to a rear portion 689 b of the third or lower sidewall 688 c.The passageways 760 can extend in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to a plane defined by the base wall 686. In someembodiments, the passageways 760 are sufficiently wide to permit thepassage therethrough of at least a portion of a tool or device that isconfigured to aid in the coupling or decoupling of mounting hardwarewith the shell 522 and/or the mounting plate 540, such as, for example,the stem or tip of a screwdriver. In some embodiments, a lower end ofeach passageway 760 is curved or rounded, and can thus facilitaterotation of the device within the passageway 760. The lower ends of thepassageways 760 can further help to align the device with the ports 612e, f of the shell 522, and can thus aid in the attachment to and/orremoval from the mounting plate 540 of the retaining harness 570, asfurther described below.

In certain embodiments, the base wall 686 defines one or moredepressions, recesses, receptacles, retainers, or channels 765 (see FIG.30) configured to receive at least a portion of the retaining harness570 when the screen assembly is in a stowed configuration within thehousing 524. In some embodiments, the channels 765 are substantiallyelongated and extend upward from the passageways 760. The channels 765can extend between the passageways 760 and the window 702. In someembodiments, the channels 765 are recessed relative to a rearward-facingsurface of the base wall 686, and can be sufficiently wide and deep toaccept at least a portion of the retaining harness 570 therein such thatthe retaining harness 570 does not interfere with the closing of screenassembly 526. For example, in some embodiments, the channels 765 providesufficient clearance for the harness 670 such that the screen assembly526 can transition from a deployed orientation in which at least aportion of the screen assembly 526 is outside of the cavity 700 to astowed orientation in which substantially all of the screen assembly 526is within the cavity 700.

In some embodiments, the housing 524 defines an abutment surface, stop,or ridge 770. The ridge 770 can interfere with a portion of the screenassembly 526 as the screen assembly is rotated into the cavity 700 toprevent further rotation of the screen assembly.

With continued reference to FIGS. 29 and 30, in some embodiments, thehousing 524 defines a catch, locking member, or lock portion 780. Thelock portion 780 can be defined by the lower sidewall 688 c of thehousing 524. In some embodiments, the lock portion 780 includes one ormore recesses, holes, or openings 782. In some embodiments, the lockportion 780 includes two elongated openings 782 that are substantiallyparallel to each other. The openings 782 can extend in a directionsubstantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the base wall 686.Other arrangements are also possible. For example, in some embodiments,the lock portion 780 comprises a single opening 782. In otherembodiments, the lock portion 780 includes more than one opening 782 ormore than two openings 782. In some embodiments, the openings 782comprise depressions, indentations, or recesses that extend downwardfrom an inner surface of the lower sidewall 688 c.

In certain embodiments, the housing 524 defines a rim 790 that extendsabout a rearward periphery of the sidewalls 688. The rim 790 cansubstantially define a plane that constitutes a rearward spatial extentof the cavity 700. In some embodiments, a portion of the rim 790 nearthe lock portion 780 is slightly enlarged and is recessed relative tothe remainder of the rim 790. The rim 790 can define a flange 792 thatextends downward from the lower sidewall 688 c. In some embodiments, theflange 792 is substantially rounded or shaped as a partial bowl, andthus can define a concavity that extends forward from the rim 790. Asfurther discussed below, the flange 792 can aid in opening the screenassembly 526 (e.g., when transitioning the screen assembly 526 from aclosed configuration to a deployed configuration). In some embodimentsof an assembled entertainment system 500, the recess 662 defined by thelower sidewall 588 c of the shell 522 provides sufficient space for theflange 792 to extend downward.

In some embodiments, the housing 524 defines one or more hinge portions,hinge elements, channels, retainers, or receptacles 800 configured toaid in coupling the screen assembly 526 with the housing 524. In someembodiments, the receptacles 800 are substantially elongate and extendin a direction substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by thebase wall 686. Each receptacle 800 can include an inner wall 802 and anouter wall 804 that can be substantially parallel to each other. Theinner and outer walls 802, 804 can cooperate to form a relatively smallcavity for receiving a portion of the screen assembly 526. In someembodiments, the inner wall 802 defines a slot 803 and the outer wall804 defines a slot 805. The slots 803, 805 can overlap in such a manneras to form an opening 806 through which a fastening member, such as ascrew, can be advanced. In certain instances, defining the opening 806in this manner provides the receptacles 800 with a strong fasteningpoint particularly suited to forward-directed and rearward-directedforces typical in the context of vehicular travel, as the inner andouter walls 802, 804 serve to resist forward and rearward movementwithin the slots 803, 805, respectively.

In some embodiments, the receptacles 800 are formed in two sidewalls 688a, b of the housing 524. In some embodiments, the receptacles 800 are ator adjacent a top edge of the housing 800 (e.g., near the upper sidewall688 d), and in other embodiments, are at or adjacent a bottom edge ofthe housing 800 (e.g., near the lower sidewall 688 c).

The housing 524 can be formed of any suitable material. In preferredembodiments, the housing 524 comprises a substantially rigid materialcapable of providing the screen assembly 526 with structural supportand/or protection from bumps and shocks. In some embodiments, thehousing 524 comprises plastic. In further embodiments, the housing 524comprises a composite plastic such as any of the varieties describedabove with respect to the shell 522.

With reference to FIG. 31, in certain embodiments, the screen assembly526 is sized and shaped to be received within the cavity 700 defined bythe housing 524. In some embodiments, the screen assembly 526 includes adisplay, monitor, or viewing screen 820. The viewing screen 820 can beof any suitable variety, including those listed above with respect tothe monitor 200. In some embodiments, the viewing screen 820 defines asubstantially planar viewing surface.

In some embodiments, the screen assembly includes a signal generatingdevice, media player, or media reader 830. The media reader 830 can beconfigured to receive a non-volatile storage medium and to generatesignals based on information stored on the storage medium. For example,in some embodiments, the media reader 830 comprises a DVD player, andcan be configured to receive one or more DVDs in order to produce audioand/or video signals therefrom. In some embodiments, the media reader830 delivers video signals to the viewing screen 820, which displays thesignals in a visually perceivable form. Other arrangements fordelivering signals to the viewing screen 820 are also possible,including any suitable arrangement described above.

In some embodiments, the screen assembly 526 includes one or morecontrol buttons 840. The control buttons 840 can be selectively actuatedto affect operation of the viewing screen 820 and/or the media reader830. In some embodiments, the screen assembly 526 includes acommunication panel 842. The communication panel 842 can include and/orcover one or more lights (e.g., LEDs) that can communicate anoperational state of the screen assembly to a user. The communicationpanel 842 can further include and/or cover a transceiver, transmitter,or receiver configured to communicate signals to and/or receive signalsfrom an auxiliary device. For example, in some embodiments, the panel842 covers an infrared transmitter that relays audio information to apersonal headset.

With reference to FIGS. 31 and 32, in some embodiments, the screenassembly 526 includes an outer housing, a shell, or a casing 850. Infurther embodiments, the casing 850 includes a rear cover 852 and afront cover 854. In certain embodiments, the rear cover 852 issubstantially rectangular and can include rounded corners and/or edges.In some embodiments, a lower edge of the rear cover 852 defines adepression or indentation 856, described further below. The rear cover852 can substantially frame the viewing screen 820, the buttons 840,and/or the communication panel 842.

In certain embodiments, the front cover 854 is shaped substantially as aparallelepiped. The front cover 854 can include a substantially planarbase wall 862 and one or more sidewalls 864 that are orientedapproximately perpendicularly with respect to the base wall 862. In someembodiments, a lower sidewall 864 c of the cover 854 includes an angledportion that transitions between the base wall 862 and a portion of thelower sidewall 864 that is substantially perpendicular to the base wall862. In some embodiments, an abutment surface, stop, or ridge 865extends downwardly from the lower sidewall 864 c. As discussed above,the ridge 865 can be configured to interfere with the ridge 770 of thehousing 524 to limit rotation of the screen assembly 526 into the cavity700 of the housing 524. The lower sidewall 864 c can define an opening866 through which a storage device or storage medium (e.g., a DVD) canbe inserted or removed from the media reader 830. In some embodiments,an eject button 868 extends through the lower sidewall 864 c.

In some embodiments, the lower sidewall 864 c includes a lock portion,latch member, detent, or arm 880, which, in further embodiments, isintegrally formed with the front cover 854. In some embodiments, the arm880 extends rearward from the ridge 865, and thus can include arearward-projecting portion 882. In some embodiments, the arm 880extends rearward of the rear cover 852 (as shown in FIGS. 31 and 35). Insome embodiments, one or more protrusions, latch devices, catches, orprojections 884 extend downward from the rearward-projecting portion 882of the arm 880. As discussed below, in some embodiments, the projections884 can cooperate with the openings 782 of the lock portion 780 tosecure the screen assembly 526 in a stowed configuration.

The arm 880 can include a manual interface or finger catch 886 thatextends downward at the end of the portion 882. In some embodiments, thefinger catch 886 includes rounded edges and can further have a curved orrounded end. In various embodiments, the finger catch 886 can besufficiently wide to permit one or more, two or more, or three or morefinger tips of a user to be placed thereon. In various embodiments, thewidth of the finger catch 886 is between about 0.5 and about 2.0 inchesor between about 0.75 and about 1.5 inches.

In some embodiments, the finger catch 886 is moved or rotated upward toactuate the arm 880, as further described below. The indentation 856defined by the rear cover 852 thus can provide the arm 880 with arelatively larger range of motion. In some embodiments, the arm 880comprises a resilient material capable of undergoing repeated,relatively small displacements without being permanently deformed. Invarious embodiments, the arm 880 and/or the front cover 854 comprisesplastic. In further embodiments, the plastic is composite plastic, suchas any of the composite plastics described above with respect to theshell 522. In some embodiments, the rear cover 852 comprises the samematerial as the front cover 854.

In some embodiments, the front cover 854 defines one or more ventingstructures 890, which can include a plurality of elongated slots oropenings. One or more venting structures 890 can be included in the basewall 862. In some embodiments, a first venting structure 890 a islocated in a first sidewall 864 a and a second venting structure 890 bis located in a second sidewall 864 b. The first and second ventingstructures 890 a, b can be substantially aligned with each other so asto permit air to flow readily from the first venting structure 890 a tothe second venting structure 890 b (or vice versa). In some embodiments,a fan 895 is positioned adjacent the first venting structure 890 a.

In some embodiments, the first and second venting structures 864 a, bare aligned with and/or can cooperate with the openings 750 of thehousing 524, the openings 650 of the shell 522, and the openings 512 ofthe headrest 502 to permit cooling of the entertainment system 500. Forexample, in some embodiments, relatively cool air from an environmentsurrounding the headrest 502 is drawn through a first set of openings512, 650, 750 and through the first venting structure 890 a into thescreen assembly 526 via the fan 895, and heated air is forced from thescreen assembly 526 through the second venting structure 890 b andthrough a second set of openings 512, 650, 750 into the environmentsurrounding the headrest 502.

As discussed above, in some embodiments, one or more cables 642 areconnected with the screen assembly 526. In some embodiments, the screenassembly 526 includes a grommet 897 configured to snugly retain the oneor more cables 642 from movement into or out of an opening in the frontcover 854. In some embodiments, the one or more cables 642 can supplythe fan 895, the viewing screen 820, and/or the media reader 830 withpower; can relay electrical signals to the viewing screen 820 and/or themedia reader 830; and/or can relay electrical signals from the mediareader 830. Other functions of the one or more cables 642 are alsopossible.

In some embodiments, the screen assembly 526 includes a mountingstructure or frame 900. In preferred embodiments, the frame 900comprises a high-strength material resistant to tearing or shearing. Insome embodiments, the frame 900 comprises a metal or metal alloy, suchas, for example, steel. As further discussed below, various componentsof the screen assembly 526 can be coupled with the frame 900. In someembodiments, a cap or cover 905 can be coupled with the frame 900 tosubstantially cover an opening in the frame 900. The cover 905 canprotect connection wires or ribbons or other relatively sensitiveportions of the electrical circuitry of the screen assembly 526 fromsnagging or catching on the pads 510 of the headrest 502 as the screenassembly 526 is rotated from a stowed configuration to a deployedconfiguration (see, e.g., FIG. 36). In some embodiments, the cover 905comprises plastic.

In certain embodiments, the screen assembly 526 includes one or morehinge elements, hinge portions, or hinges 910 that are configured topivotally mount the screen assembly to the housing 524. The hinges 910can extend through an opening (not shown) defined by the front and rearcovers 854, 852, and can be configured to rotate within the opening. Insome embodiments, the hinges 910 include first hinge portions, slabs, orplates 912 that can be substantially rectangular. In some embodiments,the plates 912 are sized and dimensioned to be received within thereceptacles 800 of the housing 524. In some embodiments, a fastener 916is inserted through an opening 918 defined by a plate 912 and through anopening 806 defined by a receptacle 800 to secure the hinge 910 to thehousing 524. In some embodiments, the fastener 916 comprises a metalscrew. The hinge 910 can further be coupled with the frame 900, asdescribed below.

The hinges 910 can define an axis of rotation 909 about which the screenassembly 526 can rotate. In various embodiments, the axis 909 issubstantially within or is substantially parallel to a plane defined bythe viewing screen 820. In some embodiments, the axis 909 is proximate,adjacent, at, or near an upper edge of the screen assembly 526, such asa top wall of the rear cover 852. In further embodiments, the axis 909is proximate, adjacent, at, or near a rear surface of the screenassembly 526, such as a rear face of the rear cover 852. Accordingly, insome embodiments, the axis 909 is at a top, rear corner of the screenassembly 526, which can permit a large portion of the screen assembly526 to move away from the cavity 700 defined by the housing 524 when thescreen assembly 526 is pivoted from a stowed position to a deployedposition.

With reference to FIG. 32, in certain embodiments, the retaining harness570 is configured to be coupled at one end with the screen assembly 526and at another end to the mounting plate 540. In some embodiments, theretaining harness 570 comprises two separate straps, lines, wires, orcords 920. The cords 920 can be formed of any suitable material, andpreferably are sufficiently strong and sufficiently resistant to highimpulsive forces to be able to withstand movement of the screen assembly526 away from the mounting plate 540 in the event of a collision. Invarious embodiments, the cords 920 comprise metal, nylon, or some othersuitable material. For example, in some embodiments, the cords 920 arereinforced with steel.

In some embodiments, one or more ends of the cords 920 are secured toone or more eyelets 922, which can comprise metal. The eyelets 922 canbe attached to the cords 922 in any suitable manner. For example, insome embodiments, an end of a cord 920 is advanced through an opening inan eyelet 922 and doubled back. The end of the cord 920 can be securedto the remainder of the cord 920 via any suitable fastener, such as acrimp sleeve. In other embodiments, the eyelets 922 are integrallyformed with the cords 920. In still other embodiments, the retainingharness 570 does not include eyelets 922.

In some embodiments, a first eyelet 922 at a first end of a cord 920 issecured to the screen assembly 526 and a second eyelet 922 at a secondend of the cord 920 is secured to the mounting frame 540. For example,in some embodiments, a fastener 924 (e.g., a metal screw) is advancedthrough the first eyelet 922, through the base wall 862 of the screenassembly 526 and is secured to the frame 900 (see FIG. 37). The secondeyelet 922 can be secured to the mounting frame 540 via another fastener924 in a manner such as described above. For example, the fastener 924can be advanced through the eyelet 922, through one of the ports 612 e,f of the shell 522, and into one of the protrusions 560 e, f of themounting plate 540 (see FIG. 37).

In some embodiments, the base wall 862 defines one or morerotation-limiting features or ridges 930. In some embodiments, theridges 930 include two substantially linear portions connected by arounded portion. The linear portions can be substantially parallel toeach other. In some embodiments, an outer perimeter of an eyelet 922 iscomplementary to an inner perimeter of a ridge 930 such that the eyelet922 is substantially prevented from rotating about an axis that issubstantially perpendicular to the base wall 862 when the eyelet 922 isreceived within the ridge 930. Other configurations are also possiblefor the rotation-limiting features 930.

With reference to FIGS. 33 and 34, in certain embodiments, the frame 900comprises a plurality of substantially planar surfaces. The frame caninclude one or more relatively thin plates, which may be formed from aunitary piece of material (e.g., sheet metal), in some configurations.In certain embodiments, the frame 900 defines a base wall 940 and one ormore sidewalls 942. The sidewalls 942 can extend substantiallyperpendicular to the base wall 940. In some embodiments, the base wall940 defines one or more protrusions 944 that define openings 946 forreceiving fasteners (e.g., fasteners 924). In some embodiments, theprotrusions 944 are tapped. The protrusions 944 thus can be configuredto couple the frame 900 with the retaining harness 570. In someembodiments, the protrusions 944 space the frame 900 from the frontcover 854, which can aid in maintaining cooling air flow within thecasing 850. In some embodiments, one of the sidewalls 942 defines amounting area 948 for receiving the fan 895.

In some embodiments, the frame 900 defines one or more mounting brackets950 with which one or more components of the screen assembly 526 can becoupled. In some embodiments, the mounting brackets 950 are integrallyformed with the frame 900. In other embodiments, one or more of themounting brackets 950 comprise pieces separate from the frame 900 thatcan be securely fastened to the frame 900 via any suitable method, suchas via welding or mounting hardware.

With reference to FIG. 33, in some embodiments, many or all componentsof the screen assembly 526 are secured to the frame 900. In someembodiments, the fan 895 is secured to the mounting area 948 viafasteners 952 or any other suitable method. The viewing screen 820, themedia reader 830, and/or a printed circuit board 954 each can be securedto the frame 900. In some embodiments, the viewing screen 820, the mediareader, and/or the printed circuit board 954 are secured to the frame900 such that each set of adjacent components defines an air passageway(see also FIG. 35), which can help to maintain a desirable level ofcooling within the outer casing 850 of the screen assembly 526.

In some embodiments, a surface area of the frame 900 is relatively largeas compared with that of the other components of the screen assembly526. For example, in some embodiments, the frame 900 covers asubstantial portion of the media reader 830. In various embodiments, anexternal or outer surface area (i.e., the combined surface areas of oneside of the base wall 940 and of one side of each sidewall 942) of theframe 900 is no less than about ⅛, ⅙, ⅕, ⅓, ½, ⅔, or ¾ the size of anouter surface area of the media reader 830. In other embodiments, amaximum cross-sectional area of the frame 900 is no less than about0.25, 0.33, 0.50, 0.66, 0.75, 1.25, or 1.33 times the size of a viewablesurface area of the viewing screen 820 in the assembled screen assembly526.

With reference to FIG. 34, in certain embodiments, a hinge 910 includesthe plate 912 described above. The plate 912 can be coupled with secondhinge portion, mount, or projection 960. In some embodiments, theprojection 960 and the plate 912 are oriented at approximately 90degrees relative to each other, although other orientations are alsopossible. In some embodiments, the plate 912 and the projection 960 areconfigured to rotate relative to one another. In further embodiments, adisk-shaped element 962 is included between the plate 912 and theprojection 960 to facilitate the rotation. The hinge 910 can beself-tensioning, and in some embodiments, comprises a pin 964 configuredto substantially maintain a constant distance between the plate 912 andthe projection 960. In some embodiments, the pin 964 defines the axis ofrotation 909 of the hinge 910. Some or all of the components of thehinge 910 can comprise a high-strength material. In some embodiments,the hinge 910 comprises metal.

The plate 912 of the hinge 910 can be secured to the frame 524 in themanner described above (e.g., via the fastener 916). Similarly, afastener 966 (e.g., a metal screw) can be advanced through theprojection 960 into a mounting bracket 950 of the frame 900 in order tosecure the hinge 910 to the screen assembly. In further embodiments, anadditional fastener 966 can be advanced through the projection 960 todirectly couple the fastener 966 with the rear cover 852 of the casing850.

In certain advantageous embodiments, coupling metallic hinges 910 with ametal frame 900 via metallic fasteners 964 can effectively provide asubstantially solid metallic piece that can act and react as a unifiedwhole, thereby reducing stresses on the contact points among the hingesand the screen assembly 526. For example, in the event of a high-speedcollision (such as, for example, a collision in which a first vehicle inwhich the entertainment system 500 is mounted is at rest and a secondvehicle rear-ends the first vehicle), the screen assembly 526, ifunrestrained, could rotate out of the headrest 502 due to inertia, andcould forcefully collide with a top edge of the housing 524. Such acollision could result in powerful impulse forces on the hinges 910.However, a secure connection among metallic components can result indistribution or transfer of the impulsive forces among the components.In certain circumstances, spreading of impulsive forces in this mannercan reduce the likelihood that stress points or weak points will develop(such as at the hinge/frame interface) and result in separation of thescreen assembly 526 from the housing 524.

FIG. 35 illustrates an embodiment of the entertainment system 500 in anassembled state. In the depicted embodiment, the shell 522 is coupledwith the mounting plate 540 and is substantially fixed relative thereto.The pads 510 a, b are arranged about the shell 522. The housing 524 iscoupled with the shell 522 and is substantially fixed relative thereto.The housing 524 is substantially within the cavity 600 defined by theshell 522. The screen assembly 526 is coupled with the housing 524(e.g., via the hinges 910 and receptacles 800, as described above).

In the illustrated embodiment, the screen assembly 526 is in a closed orstowed configuration. In some embodiments, the screen assembly 526 issubstantially fixed relative to the housing 524 when in the stowedconfiguration, as further discussed below. In some embodiments,substantially all of the screen assembly 526 is within the cavity 700defined by the housing 524 when in the stowed orientation. In furtherembodiments, all or substantially all of the screen assembly 526 iswithin the headrest 502. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, allof the screen assembly 526, except for a small portion of the arm 880,is within the headrest 502. In some embodiments, a rear surface of thescreen assembly 526 (e.g., a rear face of the rear cover 852) issubstantially flush with the rear surface 518 of the headrest 502. Inother embodiments, the rear surface of the screen assembly 526 isrecessed relative to the rear surface 518 of the headrest. In someembodiments, the viewing screen 820 is recessed relative to the rearsurface 518 of the headrest. Accordingly, in various embodiments, theentertainment system 500 can define a low profile. Such a low-profilesystem can be desirable in the context of the passenger compartment of avehicle, where the system can provide passengers with a larger andrelatively unencumbered space in which to move. Other arrangements arealso possible.

In some embodiments, the viewing screen 820 is substantially parallel tothe base wall 686 of the housing 524 when the screen assembly 526 is inthe stowed configuration. In some embodiments, the base wall 862 of thescreen assembly 526 is substantially parallel to the base wall 686 ofthe housing 524 when the screen assembly 526 is in the stowedconfiguration.

With reference to FIG. 35A, in certain embodiments, the arm 880 of thescreen assembly 526 is in a natural, relaxed, or resting state when thescreen assembly 526 is in the stowed configuration. In certainembodiments, the arm 880 extends in a first direction when in theresting state. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm 880 extendsdownward or away from a bottom surface of the rear cover 852 when in theresting state.

In certain embodiments, the projections 884 of the arm 880 cooperatewith the openings 782 of the lock portion 780 to maintain the screenassembly 526 in the stowed orientation when the arm 880 is in theresting state. The projections 884 can be received within the openings782 to lock the screen assembly 526 relative to the housing 524. In someembodiments, a projection 884 defines a first abutment or interferencesurface 901 and an opening 782 defines a second abutment or interferencesurface 902. In some embodiments, the first and second surfaces 901, 902are substantially planar. In the illustrated embodiment, the first andsecond surface 901, 902 are each oriented substantially vertically suchthat contact between the first and second surfaces 901, 902 prevents thefirst and second surfaces 901, 902 from moving substantiallyhorizontally with respect to each other in a given direction (e.g., in adirection that would move a lower edge of the screen assembly 526 awayfrom the housing 524, in the illustrated embodiment).

In some embodiments, interference between the first and second surfaces901, 902 prevents the screen assembly 526 from rotating away from thestowed orientation. For example, in some embodiments, interactionbetween the first and second surface 901, 902 can be sufficiently strongto counteract large forces applied in a direction substantiallyperpendicular to a surface normal of the first or second surface 901,902. Such forces can be substantially stronger than those that a userwould employ to rotate the screen structure 526 (e.g., forces applied toovercome the weight of the screen structure 526 and/or resistance of thehinges 910). In some embodiments, the first and second surfaces 901, 902are oriented such that, when the screen assembly is in the stowedconfiguration 526, the surface normals of the first and second surfaces901, 902 are substantially parallel to a direction in which torqueapplied to the screen structure 526 would rotate the screen structure526 about the axis of rotation 909 defined by the hinges 910. The firstand second surfaces 901, 902 thus can be positioned to counteracttorsional forces that otherwise would rotate the screen assembly 526outward from the housing 524.

Accordingly, in some advantageous embodiments, the arm 880 and the lockportion 780 are capable of maintaining the screen structure 526 in theclosed orientation in the event of a high-speed collision. Impulsiveforces generated in such a collision can act on the screen structure 526in a variety of directions and at a variety of locations. By cancellingtorsional forces that would rotate the screen structure 526 about theaxis 909, the arm 880 and the lock portion 780 can prevent the screenstructure 526 from opening (e.g., moving from the stowed state to thedeployed state) in an undesirable manner.

With reference to FIG. 35B, in certain embodiments, the arm 880 can bemoved, bent, flexed, or deformed to a displaced state to permit thescreen assembly 526 to move from the stowed position to the deployedposition. When in the displaced state, the arm 880 can extend in asecond direction that is different than the first direction. Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment, rather than extending away fromthe bottom surface of the rear cover 852 as it does in the relaxedstate, the arm 880 extends toward the bottom surface of the rear cover852 in the displaced state. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the arm880 can be rotated from the relaxed state to the displaced state. Insome embodiments, the arm 880 can be rotated to the displaced statewithout rotating the full screen assembly 526 relative to the housing524. For example, the arm 880 can be placed in the displaced state,which allows movement of the screen assembly 526 relative to the housing524, without also moving the full screen assembly 526. In otherembodiments, the arm 880 can be rotated to the displaced state withoutrotating the screen assembly 526 outward from the housing 524.

In certain embodiments, when the arm 880 is in the displaced state, theprojections 884 of the arm 880 are outside of the openings 782 of thelock portion 780. Accordingly, the first surface 901 is spaced from thesecond surface 902 such that the first and second surfaces 901, 902 canmove past each other. As a result, the screen structure 526 can berotated to the deployed position.

In some embodiments, in order to actuate the arm 880 (e.g., move the arm880 from the relaxed to the displaced state), a user places one or more,two or more, or three or more finger tips (shown in phantom) within thecavity 513, which can be at least partially defined at a lower end bythe pad 510 b and at an upper end by the flange 792 of the housing 524.In some embodiments, the flange 792 is in sufficiently close proximityto the pad 510 b to prevent a user from inserting his or her fingertipsbetween the pad 510 b and the flange 792 and/or into the space betweenthe housing 524 and the shell 522. Accordingly, the flange 792 can serveas a backstop for a user's fingers.

In further embodiments, the flange 792 can facilitate actuation of thearm 880. For example, in some embodiments, the concave shape flange 792curves toward a forward-facing surface (e.g., a back surface from auser's perspective) of the finger catch 886. The flange 792 can thusurge a user's finger tips toward the finger catch 886 as the user liftshis or her fingers to actuate the arm 880.

In some embodiments, a user touches, grasps, or otherwise handles theforward-facing surface and/or a bottom surface of the finger catch 886in order to actuate the arm 880. In some instances, the user may furthertouch, grasp, or otherwise handle the rear-facing surface of the fingercatch 886 with a thumb. In some embodiments, the finger catch 886 ismoved in a direction that is substantially parallel to a plane definedby the viewing screen 820. For example, in the illustrated embodiment,the viewing screen 820 (see FIG. 35) is substantially vertical, and thusdefines a substantially vertical plane. The finger catch 886 can belifted by a user in a substantially vertical direction (indicated by thearrow 970) to move the projections 884 out of the opening 782. In theillustrated embodiment, the finger catch 886 is below the viewing screen820, thus the finger catch 886 is moved toward a center point of theviewing screen 820 to actuate the arm 880. The user thus can pull thefinger catch 886 in a substantially horizontal direction to cause thescreen assembly 826 to rotate.

With reference to FIG. 35C In some embodiments, the arm 880 is moved tothe displaced state when stowing the screen assembly 526, and isreturned to the resting state to maintain the screen assembly 526 in thestowed configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the projection 884defines a curved or rounded lower surface 972 that can cooperate with anupper surface 974 of the lock portion 780 to transition the arm 880 fromthe relaxed state to the displaced state. As the screen assembly 526 isrotated into the housing 524, the lower surface 972 can contact thesurface 974. As the screen assembly 526 is advanced further into thehousing 524, the contact can urge the arm 880 increasingly further fromthe relaxed state, which can produce an increasingly larger restorativeforce within the arm 880. Once the screen assembly 526 has been advancedsufficiently far into the housing 524, the arm 880 can spring back tothe relaxed state. Accordingly, in certain advantageous embodiments, auser can stow the screen assembly 526 without manipulating the fingercatch 886. For example, a user can merely press on a lower face of therear cover 852 to transition the screen assembly from the deployedorientation to the stowed orientation.

FIG. 35D illustrates another embodiment of the arm 880 and the lockportion 780. In the illustrated embodiment, the arm 880 includesopenings 980 rather than the projections 884, and the lock portion 780includes projections 982 rather than the openings 782. The openings 980and the projections 982 can function in a manner such as described abovewith respect to the openings 782 and the projections 884. Otherarrangements and configurations of the arm 880 and the lock portion 780are also possible.

FIG. 36 illustrates an embodiment of the entertainment system 500 withthe screen assembly 526 in an open or deployed state. In variousembodiments, the screen assembly 526 can be rotated to the deployedstate independent of movement of the headrest 502. For example, in someembodiments, the seatback 508 (see FIG. 25) with which the headrest 502may be mounted can be configured to move to a reclined position. In someembodiments, the screen assembly 526 can be rotated separately from andindependent of movement of the seatback 508 to or from the reclinedposition.

In some embodiments, the screen assembly 526 can be rotated by asufficient amount to provide access to the opening 866 in the lowersidewall 864 c of the front cover 862. Such an arrangement can allow forsimple charging and discharging of the media reader 830. In addition,such an arrangement can advantageously maintain the opening 866 in ashielded or enclosed state when the screen assembly 526 is stowed,thereby preventing dust, debris, or other unwanted materials fromcollecting at or proceeding through the opening 866.

In some embodiments, the base wall 862 and/or the viewing screen 820 ofthe screen assembly 526 are angled with respect to the base wall 686 ofthe housing 524 when the screen assembly 526 is in the deployed state.As discussed above, the hinges 910 can be self-tensioning, which canpermit the screen assembly 526 to be positioned at any angle within alimited range of motion. Thus, in some embodiments, a user can select adesired angle for the viewing screen 820.

With reference to FIG. 37, in certain embodiments, the retaining harness570 limits a range of angles through which the screen assembly 526 canrotate. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the retainingharness 570 limits rotation of the screen assembly 526 to a maximumangle α. In some embodiments, the maximum angle α is the angle between aplane defined by the base wall 686 of the housing 524 and a planedefined by the base wall 862 (or, in some embodiments, a plane definedby the viewing screen 820) of the screen assembly 526. As previouslymentioned, in some embodiments, the screen assembly 526 can bepositioned at any angle between about 0 degrees and the angle α due toself-tensioning hinges 910.

In some desirable embodiments, the angle α is sufficiently large toprovide access to the opening 866 in the lower sidewall 864 c and/orallow a user a variety of viewing angles. Additionally, in someembodiments, the angle α is sufficiently large to allow insertion of atool (such as a screwdriver), or a portion thereof, into the cavity 700and through the passageway 760 to aid in inserting or removing thefastener 924 to couple or decouple the shell 522 and the mounting plate540. In further embodiments, the angle α is sufficiently small toprevent or deter a user from removing the retaining harness 570. Theangle α can also be sufficiently small to prevent an upper portion ofthe screen assembly 526 from contacting the shell 522 or the mountingplate 540. The angle α can be selected to maintain a relatively lowprofile of the entertainment system 500. In various embodiments, themaximum angle α is between about 10 degrees and about 60 degrees,between about 10 degrees and about 50 degrees, between about 15 degreesand about 45 degrees, between about 20 degrees and about 40 degrees, orbetween about 25 degrees and about 35 degrees. In some embodiments, theangle is no more than about 50, about 40, about 35, about 30, about 25,about 20, or about 15 degrees. In some embodiments, the angle is about33 degrees. Other values of the angle α are also possible.

In some embodiments, a length of the cord 920 and/or the points at whichthe cord 920 is connected to the mounting plate 540 and the screenassembly 526 can at least partially determine the maximum angle α. Invarious embodiments, the length of the cord 920 (between the centerpoints of the eyelets 922) is between about 20 and about 80 millimeters,between about 25 and about 70 millimeters, between about 30 and about 60millimeters, between about 40 and about 50 millimeters, or between about42 and 48 millimeters. In some embodiments, the length is no more thanabout 60, about 50, about 40, about 30, or about 20 millimeters. Othervalues of the length are also possible.

In certain embodiments, the retaining harness 570 limits the distance bywhich the screen assembly 526 can be separated from the headrest 502 orthe mounting plate 540. For example, in the unlikely event that screenassembly 526 were in the deployed orientation at the time of a collisionand the screen assembly 526 were to separate from the hinges 910, motionof the screen assembly 526 would be constrained by the retaining harness570. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the retaining harness570 would prevent the screen assembly 526 from entirely exiting thecavity 700. However, an upper portion of the screen assembly 526, nolonger being constrained by the hinges, would be free to rotate suchthat the upper portion could extend through the windows 602, 702 definedby the shell 522 and eventually contact the shell 522, at which pointthe screen assembly (or, more particularly, a portion of the screenassembly 526) would be at a maximum distance from the mounting plate.Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the maximum distance wouldconstitute the distance between the mounting plate 540 and the point 995along a line normal to the mounting plate 540. In some advantageousembodiments, the dimensions and orientation of the retaining harness 570are selected to provide for a relatively small maximum separationdistance. In some embodiments, the retaining harness 570 could preventseparation of the screen assembly 526 from the headrest 502 or mountingplate 540 despite forces experienced, for example, during a collision.One of skill in the art can appreciate that crash tests are oftenperformed with a vehicle travelling 35 miles per hour andperpendicularly colliding with a concrete collision barrier. In someembodiments, the retaining harness 570 can remain coupled to the screenassembly 526 and the headrest 502 or mounting plate 540 under such testconditions, or, alternatively, under other presently existing crash teststandards. In some embodiments, the retaining harness 570 will remaincoupled to the screen assembly 526 and the headrest 502 or mountingplate 540 when the vehicle or screen assembly 526 is subjected to lessthan about 60 G's, less than about 50 G's, less than about 40 G's, lessthan about 30 G's, less than about 25 G's, less than about 20 G's, orless than about 15 G's of acceleration (including deceleration). In someembodiments, any force less than about 2000 pounds on the screenassembly would be insufficient to separate the screen assembly 526 fromthe headrest 502 or mounting plate 540. In some embodiments, the maximumtension of the cords 920 of the retaining harness 570 that could beachieved without breaking the retaining harness 570 or its connectionsto the screen assembly 526 or headrest 502 or mounting plate 540 couldbe less than about 2000 pounds, less than about 1500 pounds, less thanabout 1000 pounds, less than about 500 pounds, less than about 400pounds, less than about 300 pounds, less than about 200 pounds, lessthan about 100 pounds, or less than about 50 pounds.

In some embodiments, the retaining harness 570 does not interfere withrotation of the screen assembly 526 from the open configuration to theclosed configuration. As noted above, in some embodiments, the channels765 defined by the housing 524 are configured to receive a portion ofthe cords 920. In some embodiments, the cords 920 are substantiallyoutside of the channels 765 when the screen assembly 526 is in thedeployed configuration. The channels 765 can provide sufficientclearance between the base wall 862 of the screen assembly 526 and thebase wall 686 of the housing 524 such that the cords 920 are receivedwithin the channels 765 as the screen assembly 526 is advanced into thecavity 700. In some embodiments, the cords 920 are relatively long, andthus are not taut when the screen assembly 526 is in the closedconfiguration. Accordingly, in some embodiments, a portion of the cavity600 beneath the lower sidewall 688 c is sufficiently large to acceptexcess length of the cords 920. In some embodiments, portions of thecords 920 thus can gather within the cavity 600.

In further embodiments, the passageways 760 are relatively long and areoriented substantially perpendicular to the base wall 686 of the housing524, which can facilitate passage of the cords 920 through thepassageways 760. As mentioned above, the size, shape, and orientation ofthe passageways 760 can also facilitate insertion of a tool therethroughfor attachment or detachment of the fastener 924.

As described above, in some embodiments, the harness provides a secureconnection between the mounting plate 540 and the screen assembly 526.For example, in some embodiments, a metal fastener 924 is advancedthrough a first metal eyelet 922, through the base wall 862 of thescreen assembly 526, and is secured to the metal frame 900. Anothermetal fastener 924 can be advanced through a second metal eyelet 922,through the shell 522, and into the mounting plate 540. As describedabove, in some embodiments, the metal-to-metal connections can reducestress points and provide secure connections capable of withstandinglarge impulse forces.

FIG. 38 illustrates an entertainment system 1000 such as theentertainment system 500. The entertainment system 1000 can resemble theentertainment system 500 in many respects, thus like features areidentified (although, in some instances, not shown) with like numerals.However, the entertainment system 1000 can differ in other respects.

In some embodiments, the entertainment system 1000 is configured to openfrom the top down rather than from the bottom up. That is, an upperedge, rather than a lower edge, of the screen assembly 526 is configuredto rotate outside of the headrest 502 when the screen assembly 526 is inthe deployed configuration. In some embodiments, the entertainmentsystem 1000 can be formed by rotating the shell 522, the housing 524,and the screen assembly 526 by approximately 180 degrees about an axisnormal to the mounting plate 540 prior to connection of these componentswith the mounting plate 540. Appropriate adjustments to, for example,the protrusions 560 of the mounting plate 540 and/or the pads 510 couldpermit such an arrangement.

Accordingly, in certain embodiments, the receptacles 800 and the hinges910 are at a bottom edge of the screen assembly 526. As a result, insome embodiments, the axis of rotation 909 of the screen assembly 526can be below the viewing screen 820. Other orientations andconfigurations of the entertainment system 1000 are also possible.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “inan embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are notnecessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures or characteristics of any embodimentdescribed above may be combined in any suitable manner, as would beapparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, inone or more embodiments.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description ofembodiments, various features of the inventions are sometimes groupedtogether in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for thepurpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understandingof one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method ofdisclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intentionthat any claim require more features than are expressly recited in thatclaim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie ina combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoingdisclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the DetailedDescription are hereby expressly incorporated into this DetailedDescription, with each claim standing on its own as a separateembodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independentclaims with their dependent claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An entertainment system for a vehicle headresthaving a front and a rear, the entertainment system comprising: a screenassembly comprising a display, a signal generating device, and a casinghaving a rear portion and a front portion, wherein the display is atleast partially within the rear portion of the casing and the signalgenerating device is at least partially within the front portion of thecasing; a housing comprising a lower portion, an upper portion, and ahousing cavity defined by the lower and upper portion of the housing,the housing cavity being sized and shaped to receive the screenassembly, the screen assembly being pivotally coupled to the housingsuch that the screen assembly can rotate relative to the housing, thelower portion comprising an opening that is sized and shaped to allow atleast a portion of the screen assembly to rotate through the opening; ashell substantially fixed to a headrest in a vehicle, the shellcomprising a lower portion, an upper portion, and a shell cavity definedby the upper and lower portions of the shell, the shell cavity beingsized and shaped to receive the housing, the upper portion of the shellbeing sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of the upperportion of the housing, the lower portion of the shell being sized andshaped to receive substantially the lower portion of the housing, theshell being coupled with the housing and substantially fixed to thehousing.
 2. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the upperportion of the housing is sized and shaped to receive at least a portionof the signal generating device.
 3. The entertainment system of claim 2,wherein an upper edge of the display is below the upper portion of thehousing.
 4. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the upperportion of the housing is substantially shaped as a parallelepiped. 5.The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of thehousing is substantially shaped as a parallelepiped.
 6. Theentertainment system of claim 12, wherein a front cover of the screenassembly is shaped substantially as a parallelepiped.
 7. Theentertainment system of claim 12, wherein the lower portion of the shellis shaped substantially as a parallelepiped.
 8. The entertainment systemof claim 1, wherein the screen assembly comprises first and secondventing structures.
 9. The entertainment system of claim 1, wherein aback wall of the housing defines a series of openings configured toreceive extensions of the shell.
 10. The entertainment system of claim1, wherein the housing further comprises one or more projections, atleast a portion of one or more of the projections being sized and shapedto fit snugly within one or more recesses defined by the shell.
 11. Theentertainment system of claim 1, wherein the housing further comprises arim that extends about a periphery of sidewalls of the housing.
 12. Theentertainment system of claim 1, further comprising one or more pads anda covering over the one or more pads, wherein a portion of the coveringis configured to be positioned between the shell and the housing suchthat the covering substantially hides the shell from view in anassembled entertainment system.
 13. The entertainment system of claim 1,wherein the shell further comprises one or more extensions for mountingupholstery.